I 




^^ Xc^r.J, 



pilgrim's Jf00t-f rints, 



OR PASSAGES IN THE LIFE OP 



KEY. JOHN HANCOCK, 



OF EAST MADISON, N. J., 



Who la"bored for I'ifty Years as a Local Minister 
in the Church, of Jesus Christ. 



BY ELLWOOD H. STOKES, 

PA3T0B OF THK M. E. CHURCH, MORRISTOWN, N. J. 



"There is an energy of moral suasion in a good man's life 
passing the highest efforts of the orator's genius."— Chalmers. 



NEW YORK: 

DIX & EDWARDS, 10 PARK PLACE. 
1855. 




Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by 

E. H. STOKES, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for 

the Southern District of New York. 



HOLMAM &GRAy, 
8TEKE0TYPBRS AND PRINTERS, N. T. 



TO THE READER 



It is right to record the virtues of the good. 
Such is the object of this unpretending book. It 
is hoped and believed that the subject of these 
pages, who spoke so often with power to the 
fathers, will now, though dead, speak, through 
this volume, to their children, for many years 
to come. 

Should this be done, the prayer of the writer 
will be answered. 

E. H. S. 
MoRRiSTOWN, March, 1855. 



CONTENTS. 



Chap. 


I. 


Ancestry, Birth, Childhood, Youth 


7 


Chap. 


II. 


Spiritual Exercises, Repentance, 








Conversion 


21 


Chap. 


III. 


Spiritual Exercises Continued, 








Growth in Grace, Marriage 


43 


Chap. 


IV. 


Preachlvg the Gospel . 


67 


Chap. 


V. 


The Bible 


98 


Chap. 


VI. 


Charity 


115 


Chap. 


VII. 


IVflRCELLANEOUS 


127 


Chap. 


vm. 


Influence, Usefulness . 


171 


Chap. 


IX. 


Closing Scen-es .... 


187 



CHAPTER I. 

ANCESTRY BIRTH CHILDHOOD YOUTH. 

"How soft and fresh he breathes ! 

Look, he is dreaming ! Visions sure of joy 

Are gladdening his rest ; and ah, who knows 

But waiting angels do converse in sleep 

With babes like this ! " 

CoxE. 

True Religion ! How beautiful in all its de- 
velopments — ^how sanctifying and elevating in all 
its influences ! There are no scenes or seasons of 
human life that may not be adorned and beauti- 
fied by the addition of this heaven-born principle. 
The day of prosperity is fleeting without it, while 
the day of adversity is made cheerful by its pos- 
session. On it the king and peasant are alike 
dependent, for "whatsoever things are pure and 
lovely and of good report." 

True Religion is always and everywhere the 
same. Yet, where earthly advantages are want- 
ing, the leadings and grace of Grod are more con- 
spicuous, and one spiritual achievement after 
7 



8 



another, impressing the mind, leave at last no 
doubt that the power to accomplish them is di- 
vine. This was true of the subject of these me- 
moirs. He was led on under the elevating influ- 
ences of the Spirit and Providence of God, step by 
step, until he attained and for many years exert- 
ed a commanding influence among men. This 
was in no sense the result of scholarship, or the 
possession of worldly goods, the means by which 
so many arrive at eminence ; but was reached and 
retained, to the hour of his death, through the 
l^ower of goodness alone. 

He was of English origin. His grand- 
parents, Richard and Margaret Hancock, were 
deeply pious, and not enjoying the extent of religi- 
ous liberty which they desired, came from Eng- 
land to this continent in company with several 
other families of the same character, about the 
year 1760, and settled in Nova Scotia. From 
this place, these voluntary exiles, in search of 
religious freedom and privileges, were soon driven 
by the terrible scourge of war. They fled to 
New York ; and being obliged to leave their lit- 



JOHN HANCOCK. 



tie property behind, found themselves, on ar- 
riving there, not only strangers in a strange land, 
hut in a destitute and suffering condition. A 
band of noble hearts, their mutual sufferings cre- 
ated a bond of mutual sympathy. They wept 
and prayed, and, after mature deliberation, deter- 
mined that a petition, containing a statement of 
their condition and asking for relief, should be 
drawn up, and presented to the Governor, 

But who shall address His Excellency ? This 
was a question of grave importance. It was final- 
ly decided that Mrs. Margaret Hancock should 
discharge this trying duty. She accordingly drew 
a petition, and it was immediately forwarded to 
the G-overnor, who, upon reading it, demanded an 
interview with the writer. She, with all that 
promptness which suffering induces, soon stood 
before him, subdued by sorrow, yet calmly up- 
borne by an unshrinking faith in God. Could 
the mute appeal of that blanched countenance, 
I the earnest pleadings of that wife and mother, 
be denied ? They could not ! And the relief 
they sought was granted. Eichard and Mar- 



10 



garet Hancock subsequently settled in Eliza- 
bethtown, N. J., where the piety of the latter 
was largely developed. She was a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and for many years en- 
joyed what she called the faith of assurance ; a 
woman of ardent and persevering prayer, and, 
having the keys of the church in her possession, 
was in the constant habit of resorting thither at 
the midnight hour, to pay secret and silent devo- 
tions to God. It was, also, her custom to hold 
religious meetings, mostly in her own house, for 
the edification of her friends and such others as 
might attend. Being questioned on one occasion 
by a minister, as to her religious condition, she 
made an earnest declaration of her willingness to 
die at any moment, under a full conviction of all 
being well. The minister doubtingly replied, 
that he would be better convinced if her testimo- 
ny were from the bed of death, as she might 
possibly find her faith to fail her in that trying 
hour. Many years subsequent, the same minister 
visited her when she was standing on the very 
brink of Jordan, and its cold, dark waters were 



JOHN HANCOCK. 11 



dashing up against her. Approaching the bed-side, 
and taking her icy hand in his, he said: " How is it 
with you now^ Mrs. Hancock ?" She replied, "It is 
the same with me now as formerly; I am not afraid 
to die." And soon after her peaceful spirit de- 
parted. 

In the year 1774, John Hancock, the son of 
Eichard and Margaret Hancock, and Mary Terrel, 
the daughter of a Connecticut farmer, both then 
living in Elizabethtown, were married, in that 
place. They were the parents of the Rev. John 
Hancock, the subject of these pages. He was born 
in Springfield, Essex county, N. J., on the 6th day 
of December, 1 11^^ a cold and dreary season of 
the year, at a dark and discouraging period of 
our country's history, and but six months after the 
" Declaration of Independence," which went forth 
to the struggling and disspirited colonies, bearing 
the signatures of most honorable men, while first, 
and boldest of them all, stood out a sacred and 
ever to be remembered name, just like his o\7n — 
John Hancock ! 

The early history of John was dark and 



12 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

discouraging as the period in which he was 
born. At the age of eight months, his father 
died, leaving his mother, with two helpless 
children, to struggle through these stormy 
times. A small sum left from his father's estate 
was paid over to the widow in continental 
funds, which at that time were of so little value 
as to require a whole dollar to purchase a single 
pound of butter. The cloud of war gathered 
darker and darker, and the prospect of support 
with this poor widow grew more and more discour- 
aging. Sometimes she would go to the grave 
of her husband, and there seek relief in a flood 
of tears, and, reflecting upon her own hard 
lot, express her thankfulness that her husband 
was at rest. But the remembrance of her chil- 
dren forbade protracted indulgence in such soli- 
tude, though sweet. Efforts were to be made — 
her children must have bread. To meet these 
demands, she at times kept a small school, and 
by this and other means supported herself 
and children. But the cloud of war, which 
had been thickening in the distance, now be- 



JOHN HANCOCK. 13 



gan to spread over the widow's and orphans' 
home. Soldiers, hurrying to the battle field, 
were seen thronging every highway. Cavalry 
and footmen, gathering around their country's 
flag, resolved to surrender their families and fire- 
sides only with their lives. Early in the morn- 
ing of June 23d, 1780, the enemy advanced from 
Elizabethtown, with about five thousand infantry, 
a large body of cavalry, and fifteen or twenty 
pieces of artillery. Their march was rapid and 
compact. They moved in two columns : one on 
the main road^ leading to Springfield ; the other 
on the Vaiixhall road. These were strange and 
terrifying scenes to that otherwise quiet village, 
and, with intense and painful solicitude, this 
widow and her little children waited the re- 
sult of the bloody conflict. Fierce was the strife. 
Men struggled for their homes, and bravely 
struggled; but, overpowered by superior num- 
bers, were compelled to yield: the red flames 
of destruction leaped upwards in their fury, 
columns of thick black smoke rolled heavily 
towards the sky, and Springfield was in ruins ! 



14 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

Then Mary Hancock, witli her two little children 
by her side, turned her hack upon the smoulder- 
ing ruins and her husband's grave, to seek else- 
where a shelter and a home. 

These were the times which tried the souls 
of sturdy men! "What, then, must have been 
the emotions of this homeless woman? What 
the answers which she gave the affrighted 
children clinging to her for protection? They 
were deep and fearful. We cannot know them ! 
but it is blessed to believe that Ood, the widows' 
husband and the orphans' father, knew them all, 
and gave her strength according to her day. 
Bottle Hill, as it was then called — now Ma- 
dison — ^became the future home of this mother 
and her children. Here they lived in a small 
building, in an humble way, she gaining a sup- 
port as best she could, until 1784, when she was 
married to Mr. Josiah Hand, and a brighter day 
dawned upon them. The clouds of war had rolled 
away ; the gentle dove, bearing the olive branch 
of peace, again spread her soft wings over 
all the land. Little John and his sister Abby 



JOHN HANCOCK. 15 



were comfortable in tlie home of their new father, 
and the mother felt relieved of many cares which 
hitherto had pressed upon her spirits. But, alas 
for all human hopes ! in less than one year 
from the time of this marriage, death again 
wrote that wife a widow, and those children 
fatherless, and they were obliged to provide for 
themselves. But as John was now nine years 
old, the prospect was less cheerless ; he would 
soon be able to provide for himself. 

At the proper age he was apprenticed to 
a Mr. Richards, in Columbia, to learn the 
saddle and harness-making business. His op- 
portunity for securing an education was limited ; 
but he manifested a strong desire for know- 
ledge. Books, at that day, especially in a remote 
country settlement, so lately scourged by the 
horrors of war, were scarce and costly. The 
thousands of volumes now written and published 
for the encouragement of youth, and, at a 
trifling expense, within the reach of all, had then 
no existence. Most of the books in circula- 
tion were large and learned, adapted to advanced 



16 



or matured minds, or small and child-like, un- 
worthy the attention of an earnest youth, seeking 
after knowledge. But, when the desire to know 
is once settled in the mind, it is not easily 
relinquished. Young Hancock had this desire. 
The difficulties in his pathway were pushed aside, 
and he steadily pressed forward to attain this 
object. A thorough education was beyond his 
reach, yet he knew that he might, by diligence, ac- 
quire a fund of general information which should 
carry him respectably and usefully through 
life. A volume of nearly one thousand octavo 
pages, in excellent preservation, is still in pos- 
session of his family ; the first book he ever 
called his own. It is entitled: A New Geo- 
graphical, Historical, and Commercial Gram- 
mar, AND PRESENT StATE OF THE SEVERAL KING- 
DOMS OF THE World. By William Guthrie, Esq., 
London, 1794. 

It was a large and sober volume, and at that 
day could not have cost less than six or eight 
dollars. This did not discourage him. Having 
seen or heard of it, he resolved that, large and 



JOHN HANCOCK. 



^ 



costly as it was, it should he his own. But how 
could so much money be obtained by a poor boy. 
The determined will always finds a way. In the 
vicinity of his mother's dwelling, liazel-nuU 
grew that year in great abundance. These, on 
the clear moonlight nights of early autumn, after 
his work was done, and while his young com- 
panions were in idleness, John gathered, and, at 
convenient times, sold them in the neighboring 
villages. In this way, he at last succeeded in 
gaining sufficient to make the purchase, and 
young Hancock carried home in triumph " The 
Great Grammar of the World," all his own^ 
bought with hazel-nuts ! It was a proud day, 
when the illustrious statesman, John Hancock, 
of cherished memory, signed with his bold and 
massive hand the glorious Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, yet it is doubted whether deeper 
emotions stirred his mind than those which 
occupied the heart of his humble namesake, the 
day he carried home that ponderous volume. The 
book became a neighborhood talk and curiosity. 
Its fame went forth, and many, even of the richer 



2* 



18 pilgrim's foot-prints. 



portion of comnjunity, came to see, and read or 
hear from its learned pages. This book he not 
only read, but studied ; gaining thereby a general 
knowledge of the world, the advantages of which 
he felt through life. With a mind thus stored 
and strengthened, he is found soon after commit- 
ting his own thoughts to paper, sometimes in 
sober prose, but oftener, much oftener in rhyme. 
Nearly everything that transpired around him 
furnished subjects upon which to write, so that, 
among the remains of his early days, there are 
some things exceedingly amusing, while there are 
many others of the purely thoughtful and sedate. 
If a neighbor died, he generally penned a few 
lines on the occasion, and, if advisable, sent them 
to the surviving friends ; or, if any of his young 
companions or acquaintances were joined in 
matrimony, it inspired his muse. On one such 
occasion, he writes : — 

" In love's conquests there are greater joys 
Than in the taking of ten thousand Troys ; 
In softer passions we can find more peace 
Than was enjoyed by bloody, conquering Greece." 



JOHN HANCOCK. 19 



He wrote much, yet was painfully conscious of 
the imperfections of his efforts, and often ex- 
pressed his regret that his early opportunities 
were so limited. Nevertheless, he was unwilling 
to bury the talent God had given him, and, 
therefore, diligently employed it for the Divine 
glory through life. As we shall have occasion 
frequently, in the course of this narrative, to 
introduce scraps, and sometimes whole articles 
from his pen, it is deemed proper, at this early 
period, in order to prepare the reader to receive 
such articles with all that toleration which charity 
requires, to insert the following lines, his own 
apology, addressed to an editor to whom he sent 
an article for publication : — 

" If, sir, you disapprove my simple tract, 
I pray inclose, and seal, and send it back ; 
Should you at sentiment or language smile, 
You'll make allowance for my simple style. 
In infancy I lost a father's care. 
A father's counsel, and his earnest prayer. 
Not born to fortune, or in science skill'd, 
In lower ranks my station poorly fill'd — 
But, God is Sovereign, why should I complain, 
Of want, of losses, crosses, or of pain." 



20 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

Thus he apologizes, in his unsophisticated way, 
for the want of perfection in the efforts of his 
pen. 

Occupied, during his leisure hours, with such 
pursuits, the period of his minority passed rapidly 
away. Inheriting a feeble constitution, he was 
compelled, by frequent attacks of illness, to 
abandon his trade before his apprenticeship 
expired. The year before he became of age, his 
mother was again married, to Mr. Robert Forrest. 
Between this gentleman and his step-son there 
soon sprang up a strong mutual attachment, con- 
tinuing till the death of the former, which took 
place in the year 1806, leaving his mother for the 
third time a widow. About five years before the 
death of Mr. Forrest, he gave John a small lot of 
ground for building purposes, and subsequently 
devised him the whole of the farm in East Madi- 
son, subject, however, to the payment of such 
legacies as amounted to almost, if not quite, the 
value of the entire property. On this farm 
John Hancock lived and died. 



CHAPTER 11. 

SPIRITUAL EXERCISES REPENTANCE CONVERSION. 

•' No wounds like those a wounded spirit feels, 
No cure for suchj till God, who makes them, heals." 

COWPER. 

'• If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to for- 
give us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteous- 
ness." — John 1:9. 

Man is a fallen being ! How painfully evident 
is this mournful truth. Look where we may, 
and, unless we are willfully blind, the proofs ap- 
pear. "If," says Fletcher, " we regard man as an 
inhabitant of the Natural World, his fall is 
proven by arguments deduced from the misery in 
which he is now undeniably involved ; compared 
with the happiness of which we cannot help con- 
ceiving him possessed when he came out of the 
hands of his gracious Creator. Look at the dis- 
orders of the globe we inhabit, and the dreadful 
scourges with which it is visited. The deplorable 
and shocking circumstances of our birth — the un- 
timely dissolution of little children — the gross 

21 



22 



darkness in whicli we naturally are, botli with 
reference to God and a future state — the heavy 
curse of toil and sweat to which we are liable — 
the innumerable calamities of life, and the pangs 
of death. So, if we consider him as a citizen of 
the Moral World, a free agent, accountable to 
his Creator for his tempers and conduct, his fall 
will be further seen by his commission of sin, 
his omission of duty, his manifest alienation from 
G-od, and his unholy tempers." But apart from 
these, there is another proof, if possible, still 
more pointed. Man feeU that he is fallen ; and, 
while unrenewed by grace, is conscious that he is 
not what he ought to be. 

So felt John Hancock, and, as early as his 
sixteenth year, was fully convinced that he was 
a sinner, and, without a change of heart, must be 
miserable forever. 

But, refusing to yield to conviction, the result 
was as it always is in such cases; his heart be- 
came harder, and he grew more indifferent to 
the things of God. For many years he sought, 
as the unregenerate always do, pleasure in the 



JOHN HANCOCK 23 



world, believing the world liad happiness, if he 
could succeed in finding it. But he sought in 
vain. 

Frequent failures awakened in his mind seri- 
ous inquiries, as to whether he sought happiness 
in the right way. If happiness exist in the 
objects which I pursue, why do I not find it ? 
Why am I still discontented, and without true 
rest of soul ? 

These inquiries were natural, and one even- 
ing, when about twenty-four years old, he re- 
solved to prove to the utmost the ability of 
worldly enjoyments to satisfy his mind, but re- 
turned from the pursuit like a weary racer, and, 
sitting down the next morning, jaded with the 
effort and stung by disappointment, wrote the 
following 

"REFLECTIONS 

ON THE PREVIOUS EVENING. 

How oft these vain and fading joys 

Sorrow and anguish bring, 
Indulgence in these trifling toys 

Leaves in the ;mind a sting. 



24 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

My thoughtless soul, be on thy guard, 

Pleasure no more pursue, 
Thy real joys it will retard. 

And prove thy ruin, too. 

My soul, bewail thy follies past 

And seek for joys refined ; 
Jesus can give a sweet repast, 

Can fill an empty mind. 

My soul, earth's joys all fade away, 

O choose the better part. 
The path that leads to endless day, 

"Where thou, dear Jesus, art." 

How clearly these lines disclose the dissatisfac- 
tion which he felt with earth, and his earnest 
desire for something higher and more enduring. 
The surprise is, that one who knew nothing, 
practically, of the way of salvation, should write 
so correctly. There are two thoughts which will 
explain the matter. First, his mother, who had 
been from the time of her first marriage, and 
perhaps before, a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and in the constant habit of leading her 
children to the house of God, where he heard of 
the vanity of this world's pleasures, and the ab- 
solute need of the religion of Christ to make us 



JOHN HANCOCK. 25 



happy ; and secondly, he had himself drank suffi- 
ciently deep at the fountains of earth, to be fully 
and painfully satisfied, that the waters which 
flow therefrom are like those drank by the 
Israelites at Marah — bitter, exceedingly bitter. 
So that, with the teachings of the sanctuary, con- 
firmed by his own experience, he wrote more like 
an advanced divine than one just turning his 
back upon the world, to seek a home in heaven. 

From this time, he made the salvation of his 
soul the chief business of his life. 

But, in reaching that point in religious experi- 
ence where the soul feels a scriptural assurance 
that God is reconciled, and that the believer has 
passed from death unto life, he had difficulties to 
encounter, and conflicts to endure. He felt that 
he was under condemnation. He knew Christ had 
died, but how to make that death the means 
of imparting life to his own soul he did not then 
fully understand. 

Nevertheless, he determined to persevere in 
the use of the means of grace — " cast down, but 
not destroyed." In this, his example is worthy 
S 



26 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

of imitation ; too many, wken they first turn tlieir 
attention to the subject of Eeligion, not compre- 
hending all its heights and depths, become dis- 
heartened, and turn again to the world. But 
John Hancock was satisfied of the existence of a 
'■^pearV beyond all price, and that pearl he de- 
termined, by the grace of God, to find, though he 
might have to dig over every inch of the soil 
where there was a possibility of its being hid. 
He knew that there was a Holy Spirit, and the 
influences of that Spirit, he desired, above all 
things else, to feel. 

About this time, he heard two sermons at Han- 
over, by Rev. Mr. Condit. What the subjects of 
the discourses were he does not say; but such 
were the impressions which they left upon his 
mind, that, upon his return home, he wrote the 
following beautiful description of a true penitent : 

" When from experience shall I know, and say, 
The blood of Christ hath washed my sins away ? 
When will my Father condescend to give 
His Holy Spirit, that my soul may live ? 
O when, dear Jesus, will thy love descend, 
And my rebellions in submission end ? 



JOHN HANCOCK. 27 



Father, forgive my want of love to thee ! • 
I am not worthy thou shouldst dwell in me ! 
Come, cleanse my heart, and make my spirit true ; 
Come, form my soul entirely anew. 
say, dear Jesus, whither shall I flee ? 
The Word of life resides alone in thee ! 

If I thy love should never see or know, 
Is it because I've grieved thy Spirit so ? 
Thou knowest my heart is more than adamant. 
And yet, that heart for living streams doth pant. 
May I but love — may I thy love receive, 
And never, never more thy Spirit grieve ! " 

The Holy Spirit, for the influences of which he 
so earnestly prays in these lines, was evidently 
doing a great work upon his soul, and although 
he complains that his heart was more than ada- 
mant, yet that heart was then so mellowed by 
divine influences, that it seemed willing to become 
almost any thing, so it but received Christ. And 
it may be that this one word, almost^ explains the 
difficulty; for we must be gM^^e willing to become 
any thing or nothing in order to receive Him, 
who is the All, and in all. A great divine once 
asked a poor but pious man, where he found 
God! "I found Him," replied the poor man, 
"where I gave up every thing else." And for 



28 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

the want of this entire surrender of the soul, John 
Hancock was, for nearly a whole year, a sorrow- 
ing seeker of the grace of Grod. 

In July, 1801, with a sad, but longing and im- 
ploring spirit, he asks : — 

•' Where shall I find the lovely Lamb, 
That I may ask Him home, 
That He may dwell where'er I am, 
. And never from me roam ? 

I'll search the hills for his retreat, 
I'll seek through mount and vale, 

I'll search till I my Jesus meet, 
Though life and flesh shall fail. 

I'll search by midnight, every grove, 

I'll ask of every tree. 
If they can tell me of my Love, 

Or where his tent can be. 

My feet, — my soul shall never rest. 

Till I have found the Fair 
"Whose love can make me ever blest, 

And sweeten every care. 

With the tall shadows I'll converse ; 

They'll sigh, at every word, 
To hear the grief that I rehearse 

In seeking for my Lord ! " 



JOHN HANCOCK 29 



Here is a poor wanderer in the wilderness — a 
wounded, bleeding soul, seeking for the balm of 
Gilead, and the Physician there. 

Indeed, his mental sufferings were sometimes 
so intense, and so keenly did he feel the wrath of 
God abiding on him, that he often wished that 
he was a beast, a worm, or any thing not pos- 
sessing an immortal soul. 

During all this time, he gave constant attend- 
ance upon the means of grace; listening to ser- 
mons from eminent divines, such as Whelply, 
Finiey, and others, but still unsatisfied. 

On one occasion, after hearing a sermon on the 
wise and foolish virgins, he writes : — " Consider, 
my soul, whether there is oil in thy lamp or not, 
lest, if the bridgroom should come this day or 
night, thou shouldst not be ready to enter in to 
the marriage. 0, Almighty God, giver of every 
good and perfect gift, if consistent with thy holy 
will, pour the oil of grace into my heart, so that 
I may be ready at thy coming." And again : — 
" When, blessed Jesus, shall I wake to righte- 
ousness and sin no more? What wait I for? 
3* 



30 ' riLGRIIVl's FOOT-PRINTS. 

Art thou not standing with open arms, waiting to 
receive me — art thou not inviting all the ends of 
the earth to come and be saved? 0, then, if 
the invitation is to all, it extends to worthless 
me ; why, then, do I refuse, or why halt so long 
between two opinions ? Thou hast said, ' I am the 
way and the truth and the life, no man cometh 
unto the Father but by me ; ' and I know not the 
way : oh, teach me, draw me by thy love, constrain, 
guard, and guide me by thy Holy Spirit. Show 
me the way to thyself by Jesus Christ. hasten 
the time when I shall know thee, if thou art to be 
known — oh, help my unbelief ! " 

In the distress of his mind at this time, he 
wisely sought relief by conversing with those who 
loved the Lord, that they might counsel and 
direct him in the way of peace. 

He writes: — "Spent the day with Mrs. H., a 
worthy follower of the Lamb. 0, God, make me 
like unto the children of light; and, I humbly 
beseech thee, lift upon me the light of thy coun- 
tenance, that I may no more stumble upon these 
dark mountains of sin — how long, dear Saviour, 



JOHN HANCOCK. 31 



oh, how long will this bright hour delay ? " A few 
days afterwards, the clouds of doubt and darkness' 
gathering again, so depressed him that he cries 
out, " ' A little more sleep, a little more slumber, 
a little more folding of the hands to sleep,' is 
thy language, my soul." In a short time, re- 
viving a little, he exclaims, " Permit the light of 
thy reconciled countenance to shine, where the 
natural sun can have no access." And then, 
rising still higher, as if on the very heights of 
Calvary, and at the foot of the cross, with a heart 
all mellowed by the scenes there witnessed, he 
writes : 

"Alas! my soul, was it for thee, 
The Saviour bled upon the tree ? 
Was it for such a wretch as I, 
That Jesus did consent to die ? 

Henceforth my soul, with all thy might, 
Love and adore the God of light, 
With endless joy, and matchless praise 
Breathe out the remnant of thy days." 

Then, addressing his soul, exclaims, "Behold 
the matchless condescension of Almighty God, in 
convincing thee* of sin, and in striving with thee 



32 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

by his Holy Spirit ; beliold the clear Tiews He gives 
thee of Himself — thy ready utterances at a throne 
of grace, and the soul-ravishing delights, the rap- 
turous joy experienced in communion with Him; 
behold thy Saviour interceding for thee. O let 
my soul be filled with matchless praise to the 
adorable Trinity ! 'Praise the Lord, my soul, 
and all that is within me bless his holy name.' " 
Here he has reached a point before unknown, and 
seems, for a moment, not only standing upon the 
very threshold, but really to have entered the 
gate of life. The next instant his faith fails him, 
and taking lower ground, cries, " Behold thy God 
about to be reconciled, in and through the merits 
and intercession of his dear Son." 

"Was not God already reconciled^ had his faith 
been strong enough to receive the blessed truth ? 
We believe He was ; and it was simply the want 
of a renouncement of self, and a full reliance 
upon divine mercy, through Jesus Christ, that 
kept him back from peace. Salvation, and the 
assu7'ance of it, are both the result of simple, 
unyielding faith in God. Therefore, like the 



JOHN HANCOCK. 33 



Israelites of old, John Hancock touched the very 
borders of the promised land, and then, like them, 
went far back into the wilderness again ; all for 
the want of a little stronger faith. In a few days 
he adds : — " Here I am, my God, perishing for 
lack of grace," and then eagerly inquires, " Is 
there not in thy house bread enough and to 
spare." 

All through these exercises, he was paying his 
addresses to her who, afterwards, in the providence 
of God, became his wife. For months she had 
been so dangerously ill, that many times her 
life was despaired of, and, during much of the 
time, she, too, was in great agitation and anxiety, 
in reference to- her own soul. A double burden 
therefore fell upon this penitent and greatly dis- 
tressed young man. Several times, as it appears 
from notes made by him at that period, it was 
thought she was about to die : then he, though 
not yet clear in his own experience, struggled for 
her with God in earnest prayer ; not merely as a 
lover, for her recovery, but as a man of faith, for 
her soul's salvation. " God," said he, " take 



34 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

her not hence, till thou hast given her an assurance 
of eternal life through Jesus Christ ! give her 
triumph over death, and enable her to shout aloud 
in the God of her salvation." 

His prayer was answered. She found peace 
with God, and, after a protracted illness, was re- 
stored to usual health. 

On Saturday evening, December 5th, 1801, the 
evening previous to his birth-day, he writes : — 
" The close of this day makes twenty-five years 
since I came into existence ; may the anniversary 
of my natural birth be also the day on which I 
shall be born of the Spirit. my God, give me 
the witness that I am born of thee ! " On Sab- 
bath, December 6th, his birth-day, he says : — 
"Heard a sermon by Mr. Perrine, then fasted, 
and wept and prayed for the Spirit of God to wit- 
ness with my spirit that I was, indeed, born anew. 
But Lord, what do our sighs, and tears, and 
groans avail ; ah, our fastings and our prayers ? 
"We do not expect to merit salvation by any thing 
that we can do, but we beg, as humble suppliants 
at thy feet, to be heard and accepted, for Jesus' 



JOHN HANCOCK. 35 



sake." And then, in relief to liis mind, and the 
mind of her who became his wife, and who had 
joined with him in the above exercises of fasting 
and prayer, he writes : — 

" Father in Heaven, thy will be done, 
Finish the work thou hast begun ; 
Permit us, Lord, before we die, 
Thy holy name to glorify. 

Vile as we are, O Lord, we flee, 
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, to thee ; 
Help us, help us. Lord, to come. 
And bow, obedient, at thy throne." 

Again light increases in his mind, and he 
obtains a clearer view of the great truth, that 
salvation is to be received through faith alone. 

This is set forth in the following lines, writ- 
ten at the time : — 

" Thou Jesus, Lord, who calm'd the seas. 
By speaking to the wind. 
Come with thy "Word, and give me ease, 
Come, calm this troubled mind. 

Now, Lord, I give myself away. 

Depending on thy grace ; 
I hope to find eternal day — 

To see thy lovely face. 



36 



Not by the works which I have done, 

Or can expect to do, 
But, through the merits of thy Son, 

I now for i)ardon sue." 

No one will question but this was the right way 
in which to seek. Why, then, did he not obtain ? 
The fear is that, while he wept, and prayed, and 
fasted, all of which he had been faithfully do- 
ing, he, after all, unconsciously rested more in 
the merits of his own works than in the all- 
atoning merits of Christ ; or that, while he gave 
himself away, as he seems to have done in the 
above lines, he had not sufl&cient faith to believe 
that God, for Christ's sake, was willing then to 
accept the offering; did not understand that 
"now is the accepted time, and now the day 
of salvation." These religious exercises com- 
menced, and were greatly promoted, by a revival 
of religion, which took place in the Presbyterian 
Church, of which for many years he was a con- 
stant attendant. i 

Some time during theseexercises, the pastor of 
that church being absent, he attended a meeting 
held by the Methodists in a private house at 



JOHN HANCOCK. 37 



Cheapside. After tlie public services were over, 
class meeting was held, at which he remained ; 
the first he ever attended. At the conclusion of 
these exercises, he, with several others, was invited 
to dine with Brother Brainard Dickerson. He 
was pleased with all he saw and heard in the 
house of this worthy man ; the term brother and 
sister, as applied to each, particularly struck his 
ear. '-This," said he, "is Bible religion, — it is 
all love." 

From this time, Cheapside and its humble 
sanctuary were visited as often as possible. 

On Sabbath, December 13th, 1801, he joined 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Elizabeth- 
town circuit, as it was then called, embraced 
Elizabethtown, the whole of Staten Island, R^h- 
way, Belleville, New Prospect, Stony Brook, Rock- 
away Yalley, Whippany and Chatham. This 
ground was occupied by two preachers, and pass- 
ed over by each once in four weeks. At the 
time above referred to, the Eev. Joseph Totten 
was preacher in charge, who, after preaching at 
Chatham, received the trembling Hancock into 



38 



the bosom of the Church as a probationer seeking 
salvation. After this he writes : — " my God, 
what have I been doing? Have I not been 
openly professing to be a follower of thine, with 
a heart too little affected with a sense of my 
unworthiness ? my God, for Jesus' sake, take 
me, 0, take me, as I am, a vile, worthless worm — 

Poor and naked, blind and needy, 
To thee, O God, I come for pity." 

After taking this step, he again suffered in his 
mind. Satan tempted him to doubt, and a ques- 
tion arose as to whether he had duly considered 
the matter ; so that, in less than a week, he 
writes : — " Come, my soul, sit down and count 
the cost of becoming a servant of the living God, 
In the first place, it will cost thee self-denial, — 
' denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, living 
soberly, righteously and godly in this present evil 
world.' In the next place, it will cost thee the 
favor of the world ; thou wilt lose their esteem, and 
gain their ill-will and reproach. It will also cost 
thee, in the estimation of the ungodly, thy honor, 
credit, and good character. It will cost thee, in 



JOHN HANCOCK. 39 



the next place, mortificatious, whicli will not be 
pleasing to flesli and blood, for we are command- 
ed though the Spirit to mortify the deeds of the 
flesh. He, to whom we profess to belong, says, 
unless we take up our cross daily and follow him, 
we are not worthy of Him. In the next place, 
it will cost thee many a sorrowful day, in pressing 
thy way through this thorny road — many a night 
of sadness, in being opposed in thy heavenward 
march. Again, it will cost thee many a conflict 
with sin and Satan — many a combat with the flesh 
— many an engagement with the world, and the 
opposers of godliness ! ' But, thanks be to God, 
who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus 
Christ.' This, my soul, is but a small part of what 
it will cost thee to be a Christian. And now, what 
thinkest thou of all this ?" Then his faith is seen 
towering to a height never before attained, while 
he emphatically exclaims : — " All, all is nothing, 
yea, ten thousand times as much more is of no 
value, when compared to the love of Christ ; and 
all that a creature can enjoy of a temporal nature, 
is not to be set in competition with communion 



40 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

•with my God. O, my God, let me lose all, for- 
sake all, despise all, be despised by all, so I but 
win Christ at last." 

In January, 1802, again bowed down, he says: 
"I want to be directed by thy Spirit. I want 
the light of thy countenance. I want faith, love, 
perseverance. I want 

To feel thy quickening power within, 
To free me from this load of sin, 
That I may learn my God to serve, 
And love without the least reserve." 

"Weeks passed on, and, about the last of the 
month, he says : — " My God, what condescension 
is this ! Thou hast bestowed life and liberty 
upon a worthless nothing — 'and now abideth faith, 
hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of 
these is charity' — and I hioiv, my God, that I 
have faith, because I believe that thou art a 
rewarder of all them that diligently seek thee. I 
know that there is hope within me, because I 
believe, and through faith hope to possess ever- 
lasting life in Jesus Christ my beloved Saviour, — 
but succeeding these is the best of the wine, 



JOHN HANCOCK. 41 



charity: — yea, Lord, and I know that I have 
charity also^ for I love thee, and thy command- 
ments are not grievous ; I know in whom I 
believe and hope, and Him I love." 

A little after this, having spent nine tedious 
months in heart-rending struggles with sin and 
unbelief, he adds : — " This evening, while engaged 
in prayer, that Grod would grant me, if consistent 
with his holy will, some clearer evidence of my 
acceptance with him — if, in reality, I had found 
the favor of God, that He would make it mani- 
fest that my sins were indeed forgiven — rising 
from my knees and opening my Bible, the 
first words that I cast my eyes upon were these : 
' Why are ye troubled ? and why do thoughts 
arise in your hearts ? Behold my hands and my 
feet, that it is I myself: handle me and see.' 
my God, what joy then broke in upon my long- 
troubled soul ; and in a moment, it seemed that 
I had taken a fresh start for heaven. The voice 
of Jesus, in the passage as I read, seemed almost 
audible. 0, never let me forget the obligations 
I am under to thee, my God and Saviour, — may 
4* 



42 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

I ever keep at the foot-stool of sovereign mercy, 
acknowledging my obligations, and pleading for 
the guidance of thy Holy Spirit." 

It is only necessary to add, in conclusion 
of this chapter, that John Hancock was now, 
through faith alone, a new creature in Christ 
Jesus ; possessing a scriptural assurance of eternal 
life, beautifully described in his own language, 
thus : — 

" Hope is desire, and expectation, too, 
Of future bliss beyond our present view ; 
Entering the vail, above this sea of strife, 
It grasps the promise of eternal life."' 



CHAPTER III. 

SPIRITUAL EXERCISES CONTINUED GROWTH IN 

GRACE MARRIAGE. 

" Grace ! 'tis a charming sound, 
Harmonious to the ear ; 
Heaven with the echo shall resound, 
And all the earth shall hear." 

Doddridge. 

'' But (/row in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ." — 2 Pet. 3 : 18. 

Pardoned ! How sweetly this word strikes the 
ear of one who, for a long time, has been under 
condemnation. Peace ! How the troubled soul 
delights to feel the blessed emotions which this 
word conveys. Deliverance ! How the prisoner 
leaps when he feels his chains fall off, and sees his 
dungeon doors fly open. In the day of his con- 
version, John Hancock felt the blessedness which 
all these words denote. He had been so long in 
bondage, that, when deliverance came, he kneio 

43 



' 44 



ity felt it, and rejoiced in it. It was a great 
deliverance ! But the wliole of Religion is not 
known in the day of our conversion. "We have 
then just tasted that the Lord is good — just 
entered upon our Christian pilgrimage and war- 
fare. "We have then learned only the first letter 
in the religious alphabet — while beyond, there is 
much for us to sufifer, much to enjoy. Much to 
suffer, because there is much to learn ; and we 
are usually such slow scholars in the school of 
Christ, that chastisements are often necessary 

i before we willingly exclaim :— " Thy icill be done.^ 
There is much for us to enjoy. Religion is high 
and holy, deep and inexhaustible. God is love ; 
and there is always before the mind of the 
pious man the anticipation of a pledged and 
promised heaven. Therefore, be comforted, 
ye saints, for though in the world you may have 
tribulation, yet, One greater than the world 
assures you, "/?^ me ye sliall have i^eace?'' 

I John Hancock found jpeace with God ; but tlie 
days of his trouble were not yet ended. True, in 
reference to his soul, he was now happy; but. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 45 



having pursued a course which his friends did 
not approve, he found that to be a Christian 
brought upon him the reproach of many, yet, to 
be a Methodist the scorn of nearly all. These 
were, therefore, da^^s of bitterness, and he cries 
out : — " God, hide not thy face from me ; Lord 
my soul is vexed, even unto death. I am opposed 
by those who call themselves the people of God ; 
from a vain world I expected no more, but when 
I am opposed by the professing people of God — 
the temptations of Satan — and the rising corrup- 
tions of my own heart, my faith wavers, and I 
think I have no grace. Now, my God, I pray 
thee stand by me, keep me from falling, give me 
faith firmer than the mountains — love stronger 
than death — and zeal not to be outdone ; let thy 
name be glorified." And then, as if his prayer 
had received an immediate answer, he goes on his 
way, cheering himself thus, with one of his own 
songs : — 

" Whea opposed on my way 
To my Father's abode, 
I will wrestle and pray 
With my Saviour and God. 



46 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

For my Saviour has power, 

At a word He can quell, 
And crush in an hour 

All the powers of hell." 

He bad faith to .believe that bis difficulties 
would eitber be removed, or be would bave grace 
to endure tbem. Tbe latter was tbe case. His 
discouragements, of one kind and anotber, con- 
tinued for many years, so tbat even after be bad 
settled in life, and bad a family around bim, tbe 
ungodly, in passing bis bouse at nigbt, would fre- 
quently engage in singing sucb bymns as were 
used in social religious meetings, in mockery of 
bis devotion, wbile be, witb a grieved spirit, would 
sometimes say : — " Tbey tbat sit in tbe gate speak 
against me ; and I am tbe song of tbe drunkards." 
Yet, tbrougb all tbese scenes, be bad grace, not 
only to stand, but to grow up into Cbrist, bis 
living Head. He advanced in religion, learned 
more of bis own beart, and of tbe power of divine 
grace to save even to tbe uttermost all tbat come 
unto God tbrougb Cbrist. 

It must not be tbougbt, bowever, tbat bis road 
was all tborny. No, tbere were many green spots 



JOHN HANCOCK. 47 



as he traveled the narrow path ; many cedars of 
Lebanon, under whose grateful shade he could 
take rest and renew his strength ; many a gushing 
spring, of whose waters he could sweetly drink ; 
many a mount, where he could hold communion 
with his God. He often found a highway in 
which to walk, where every valley was exalted, 
and every mountain brought low. " This morn- 
ing," he writes in one place, " being much affected 
and very sad, while engaged in prayer to my 
heavenly Father, I turned to my Bible, when 
these words brought unusual joy to my soul : — 
' Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldst be- 
lieve, thou shouldst see the glory of God.' 
Now, I believe," said he, " that thou, Lord, 
art a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering 
God; let me never forget to praise thee." Then, 
after a little, he utters one of his own songs, 
thus : — 

" When, my dear Saviour, can a mortal be 
More fully happy, than when loving thee. 
that this heartfelt joy would ever stay, 
To bear me up to realms of endless day. 



48 



grant thy love, my God, while I have breath, 
Grant to support me in the hour of death. 
Grant, then, to take me to thy blessed arms, 
draw me, keep me, by thy lovely charms.-' 

Here lie realizes a very pleasant state of mind ; 
truly, a joy that the world cannot give. Yet he 
sees in the King's highway greater attainments, 
and longs to possess them. 

Meditating one morning on the things of God, 
and the way of salvation, these words, '■' Without 
holiness, no man shall see the Lord," made a deep 
impression upon his mind, and he felt the great 
necessity of an entire consecration to God. "I 
cannot," said he, '' be holy, without a holy love, 
which I suppose to be love to God, for holiness' 
sake." " I feel assured," he writes, " that it is 
this unsanctified heart that keeps me at such a 
distance from God, which causes me so often to 
wander without the light of his countenance;" 
and feeling this, he fell upon his knees several 
times in the course of the morning, humbly de- 
siring that Almighty God would sanctify him 
wholly. " 0," said he, " so great are the exer- 
cises of my mind, that my very soul seems melted 



JOHN HANCOCK. 49 



•within me, and my cry is sanctification, sanctifi- 
cation. my God, may I love thee more, and 
serve thee better ! " 

Was not all this scriptural? How many 
beautiful instances the Bible contains of just such 
spiritual pantings ! And what sweet encourage- 
ments the Bible affords to all who thus hunger 
and thirst. They shall be filled ! John Hancock 
did not seek in vain ; and it is interesting to watch 
him in his steady progress, "like a tree planted 
by the rivers of water, bringing forth his fruit in 
his season." 

But shall a man be interested for himself alone % 
Is Beligion selfish ? Is it not rather purely be- 
nevolent in its character ? Descending from the 
skies, does it not partake of the nature of the 
skies ? Is it not like its Author — love ? 

We must not be surprised, therefore, if, in his 
earnest struggles for a higher life, John Hancock 
should see beyond himself; and, seeing, sympa- 
thise with those still in the way of sin. It was so. 
There were many whom he knew and loved, still 
trying to satisfy themselves with earth; living 
5 



50 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

without God, and without hope in the world. 
Can a believer in divine revelation, and the reality 
of future punishment or bliss, be indifferent to the 
interests of such? They cannot. Hence it is 
only what might be expected, to find John Han- 
cock, about this time, writing thus : — " This morn- 
ing my bowels even yearn over the ungodly of 
this place. My soul is melted, my head has be- 
come a fountain, my eyes rivers. 0, my God, I 
pray for those who do not pray for themselves ; 
are not their souls as valuable as my own?" 
Again, he says : — " This evening, led out in prayer 
for an ungodly world of sinners." And then, 
burning with holy zeal in the cause of his divine 
Master, and anxious to be of some service to his 
fellow-men, he breaks out : — 

" Had I the wind at my command, 
And could I ride tliercon, 
I'd fly thus swiftly through the land, 
To tell what God has done. 

I'd trace the world from sea to sea, 

I'd land at every isle, 
And tell what God hath done for me, 

The vilest of the vile. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 51 



To rising ages I'll relate 

The goodaess of my Lord, 
How great his love, how wondi'ous great 

To all who trust his Word. 

I'm sure, if men could only know 

What joy my Lord can give, 
They all would be partakers, too, 

Of his eternal love.'' 

On one occasion after this, being very happy in 
the God of his salvation, he is suddenly assailed 
by Satan. " The tempter," says he, " tempts me 
to believe that this drawing out of soul after God 
arises from some natural cause, but I know better ; 
the devil is a fool and a liar : for ticenty-Jive years 
I lived in a state of nature, and was never sensible 
of the least degree of this love that now flows in 
i my heart." And then, though Satan had tried 
hard to wound and discourage him with this sug- 
gestion, he writes the very next day : — " how 
my God doth animate and cause my soul to re- 
joice in him," proving that, if we resist the devil, 
he will flee from us. At another time, he says : — 
" Never was my will more resigned or swallowed 
up in the will of my heavenly Father; never 



52 



could I repose more confidence in Grod ; never did 
the world appear less ; never had I greater desires 
to be weai ed from the world ; never more willing 
to be poor ; never more disdained all earthly enjoy- 
ments, as being insufficient to satisfy a longing 
soul ; never did I enjoy more peace in believing ; 
never was I better rewarded for being resigned to 
God, for never was I happier in the enjoyment of 
God's love than at this present time." 

Thus he progresses from one degree of grace 
and strength to another, until, in the language 
of the Apostle, "■ he came in the unity of the 
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the 
stature of the fullness of Christ." 

It must not be supposed, because there are no 
particular references to worldly occupations and 
duties running through these exercises, that he 
did not engage in such pursuits ; on the contrary, 
he was all this time a hard-working young man, 
rising up long before the sun, and retiring late ; 
mingling of necessity with wicked men ; indeed, 
attending to all the duties of life ; yet, "in his 



JOHN HANCOCK. 53 



mind, keeping above the world and its unholy in- 
fluences. In the discharge of his duties as a 
citizen, he was called one day to attend a militia 
training at Parsippany. All acquainted with these 
exercises know the demoralizing influences con- 
nected with them, and how often those who go to 
play the soldier come back conquered by the. 
demon — Rum. John Hancock went to this train- 
ing, not merely as one of the militia of his 
country, but as a soldier of the cross. " Hence," 
said he, " I have had this day an almost continual 
sense of the presence of Grod. At the training, I 
fell in with several warm-hearted Christians, with 
whose conversation I was pleasingly entertained." 
On returning home in the evening, he says : — " My 
soul is all on fire for the kingdom of my God." 

On the 3d day of April, 1802, in the very midst 
of these spiritual exercises, he was married to 
Miss Phebe "Ward, to whom reference has been 
already made ; one who, sympathizing with him in 
all his religious views and aspirations, walked by 
his side, not only as the companion of his life, 
but as a true Christian helper. 
5* 



54 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

It is pleasing to know, althoiigli John Hancock 
was so deeply exercised on the subject of religion, 
that it did not make him gloomy and morose, 
or insensible to the innocent joys of social life. 
Accordingly, we find him, with a great deal of 
pleasantry, inviting Rev. Joseph Totten. the 
same clergyman who had received him into the 
Church, to celebrate their nuptials, in the following 
lines : — 

" Since nature does our hearts unite, 
Kind sir, we now do you invite 
To ope the flattering, joyous scene, 
Which contemplated long has been. 

Nature has fixed the band so sure, 
It will admit no other cure. 
Except a cerevionial band, 
Yf hich your assistance does demand. 

Since nature, then, the band has made, 
We trust you'll not refuse your aid, 
Or give the smallest reason why 
This band of love you will not tie. 

Come, join our hands, we trust our heart. 
Which nothing less than death can part. 
With form of words, compliance show 
To laws of God, and nature too. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 55 



Now pray that Christ, our gracious Lord, 
His every grace may us afford, 
That praise in all things we may give, 
To our Redeemer while we live/"' 

No clergyman could decline an invitation so 
pleasant and pressing, and they were duly united 
in holy wedlock, a God-fearing and heaven-aspir- 
ing couple. 

In the religious life, it is important to do all 
things with an eye to the glory of God. It is 
not only the reading of the Bible, the offering of 
supplications unto God, the public worship in the 
sanctuary, that must be done religiously — but all 
things : — " Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or 
whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 

This, John Hancock did. And thus he gained 
religious strength, enjoyed religious prosperity, 
and secured ultimately the universal respect of 
men. 

The religious life of John Hancock did not 
strengthen and advance, however, without the use 
of appropriate means. It will not with any. In 
order to a growth in grace, there must be reli- 
gious nourishment and exercise ; and this nour- 



PILGRIM S FOOT-PRINTS. 



ishment and exercise not only impart vitality to 
the soul, but constitute its cliief enjoyment. How 
deliglitful ! and yet how different from the world. 
In the world, the pleasures of sin are our ruin ; 
but the pleasures of Religion are our strengt hand 
life. 

John Hancock loved and used all the means of 
grace within his reach. The public worship of 
God, whether in the temple, school-house, or pri- 
vate dwelling, he alway attended when possible 
so to do. From a child, the sanctuary had been 
a sacred retreat, and, now that he had become 
a man, it was little less than a second nature to 
repair to its sacred precincts, and there from the 
depths of his soul worship Him who liveth for 
ever and ever. How salutary are the influences 
of the Church of God. How much we owe to its 
refining, subduing, and elevating power. Here, 
the rich and the poor meet together, and the 
Lord is not only the Maker, but the Preserver 
and the Redeemer of them all; and while the 
poor man, in view of his destitution, may be 
humbled and discouraged, yet here, where the 



JOHN HANCOCK. 61 



Gospel is freely proclaimed, in view of the rich 
grace and everlasting mercy of God, he is en- 
couraged and blessed, and he that came unhappy 
goes away rejoicing. The Church of God — a 
blest asylum to which the weary and worried ones 
of earth may always flee ; a sacred fold, where 
the still waters ever flow, and the pastures are 
green. 

The social means of grace were also his delight. 
Where the people of God were, there he loved to 
be. Sometimes a few of them would gather in 
the humble dwelling of a poor neighbor, and 
spend the evening in singing, prayer, and exhor- 
tation. Class meeting was a stated means by 
which his spiritual growth was greatly promoted. 
It met regularly at the house of his father-in-law, 
once a week. Here, at first, he arose with great 
timidity and trembling to speak of his religious 
condition; but he soon found great liberty in 
bearing testimony for Christ, and that, in thus 
waiting upon the Lord, he renewed his strength. 
Here, as in a school, he learned the dealings of 
God with his children from actual experience. 



ij 58 pilgrim's foot-prints. 



and, being thus instructed, was better prepared 
to go out and overcome the world. These meet- 
ings, afterwards instituted in his own house and 
continued to the present day, he attended, with 
as much regularity as circumstances would admit, 
during the whole period of his life. 

Through the exercise of prayer, too, he had 
large expectations of spiritual supplies. He 
was not disappointed. Oftentimes would he go 
to his closet, cast down and discouraged ; but in 
communion and fellowship with Grod his soul 
was refreshed and comforted. How many times 
a day did he pray in secret? Ah, that is a 
question difficult to answer. Emergency knows 
no law. When his wants pressed heavily upon 
him, he prayed very often. One day, he writes : — 
" Fell upon my knees eight or ten times to plead 
with my Grod for a fresh manifestation of love, 
and who is like my God to hear and answer 
prayer? While waiting upon Him my soul 
is turned from sorrow to joy, from mourning to 
gladness." Though we may not conclude that 
such was his hahit, yet there is abundant evidence 



JOHN HANCOCK. 59 



that liis times for secret prayer were fixed and 
frequent. But these secret devotions, pleasant 
as they were, did not cause him to neglect or 
lightly esteem that other and also very import- 
ant duty, family worship. In this, he was not 
only very strict, but found also special satisfac- 
tion. This duty, whether at home or abroad, in 
the house of acquaintance or stranger, he regu- 
larly performed three times a clay ; gathering his 
children, workmen and visitors thus often, he would 
recognize God as the giver of all mercies, and then \ 
invoke heaven's richest benedictions upon them. 
No business or journey was of sufficient import- 
ance to induce him to omit it. It was a part of 
his conscience to worship Grod around the family 
altar. Even when there had been, as was often 
the case, preaching or prayer meeting in his own 
house, after the congregation had retired, he 
would gather 'his household together, saying: — 
" Nothing, not even the religious exercises in 
which we have just engaged must excuse us from 
our domestic worship;" then falling down before 
God, would humbly commit his family to the 



60 PILGRIM S FOOT-PRINTS. 

special care of heayen. Nor was all this, as it 

might seem to some, a druJgerj. No ! God's 

worship is never drudgery. '• Oftentimes," says 

a member of his family, " he would, especially 

while his children were yet young, gather them 

around him immediately after supper, before they 

were overcome with sleep, and, opening the Bible 

to read therefrom the counsels of redeeming love, 

exclaim : — ' This, my children, is the best loart 

of all the business of the clmj? " And so it was. 

It is the service of the world, of sin and of Satan, 

that is drudgery and toilsome, but Religion's ways 

are pleasantness and all her paths are^facc — the 

best and only refreshing part of the business of 

the day of life. Such was the fidelity with vrhich 

he discharged this duty, that there are some now 

living, apart from his own family, who date their 

first religious impressions from mingling with 

him in these hallowed scenes of domestic worship, 

away from the noise and din and show of earth. 

In performing this duty, he felt that he had 
not only the interests of his own soul to look 
after, but the souls of all his family — to him they 



JOHN HANCOCK. 61 



were looking up for example, instruction, and en- 
couragement. It is quite probable that he felt a 
greater interest in it, by a remembrance of his own 
early destitution of all such blessings ; as he pa- 
thetically wrote : — 

'' In infancy I lost a father's care, 
A father's counsel, and his earnest prayer." 

Feeling this loss through life, he resolved that, 
while God should prolong his days, his children 
should enjoy that which a wise Providence had 
seen proper to withhold from him. 

Long before his conversion, and especially 
afterwards, he was particularly attentive to the 
reading of the Holy Scriptures, often perusing 
them upon his knees, with a heart uplifted to 
God in earnest prayer, that light might shine 
upon the sacred page ; and, while thus engaged, 
realized the blessing for which he sought. 

Thus faithful in all the means, it is no wonder 
that he grew in grace. True, he merited nothing ; 
but God always smiles upon the efforts of the 
truly faithful, and in that smile there is spiritual 
prosperity. 



62 



Having followed him up to this point, in his 
religious growth, it is proper to insert here the 
following paper, written by himself, and published 
several years ago, over his own signature, in the 
Northern Christian Advocate and Journal^ en- 
titled :— 

"A FEW PLAIN DIRECTIONS 

HOW TO BE AN ACTIVE AND COXSISTENT CHRISTIAN. 

1 . Never forget that you are constantly exposed 
to be turned aside, either in heart or life, from 
the path of duty. " Because your adversary^ the 
devil ^ as a roaring lion^ tvalketh about ^ seeking 
tvhom he may devour ; ivhom resist^ steadfast in 
thefaithy—\ Pet. 5 : 8, 9 

2. Be sure to read enough of the Bible, every 
day, to furnish a subject for practical reflection. 
" Search the scriptures ; for in them ye think ye 
have eternal life^ and they are they ivhich testify 
ofmey — John 5 : 39. 

3. Always seek the direction of the Holy 
Spirit and the blessing of God upon the business 
of ievery day before you enter upon it, and never 
commit yourself to the slumbers of the night till 



JOHN HANCOCK. 63 



you have sought a blessing on your efforts tlie 
day past, " Evening^ and morning, and at 
noon, icill Iioray, arid cry aloud ; and he shall 
hear my voiceP — Psalms 55 : 17. 

4. Never forget that, if you revenge or retaliate 
injuries, you inflict upon yourself an additional 
injury. " If thy enemy be hungry, give him 
bread to eat; and if he be thirsty give him loater 
to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon 
his head, and the Lord shall reward thee?'' 
Prov. 25 : 21, 22. 

5. In regard to attending meetings designed as 
means of grace, always be governed by your 
solemn convictions of duty, and not by your pres- 
ent feelings. " Jesus said unto his disciples, if 
any man ivill come after me, let him deny him- 
self, and take up his cross, arid folloio me?'' 
Matt. 16: 24. 

6. Always preserve a cheerful spirit, but never 
indulge in trifling and levity. " Only let your 
conversation be as becometh the gospel?'' — Phil. 
1:27. 

7. Avoid giving the least intimation that you 



64 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

are better than others. ^^ But in loivliness of 
niincl let each esteem other better than them- 
selves ?'—? mi.. 2 : 3. 

8. Receive admonition with the spirit of kind- 
ness, and never attempt to reprove or reclaim 
others but with the spirit of love. ''^Brethren, 
if a 7nan he overtakefi m a faulty ye ichich are 
spiritual^ restore such a one in the spirit of 
nieehncss ; considering thyself^ lest thou also he 
tempted?'^ — Gtal. 6:1. 

9. Never indulge in unfriendly remarks con- 
cerning others in their absence. " Whoso privily 
slander eth his neighbor^ him ivill I cut off^ — 
Psalms 101 : 5. 

10. Always cheerfully confess if you have done 
wrong, or have been mistaken. " Confess your 
faults one to another^ and praij one for another 
that ye may he healed.''''— 3 ame^ 5:16. 

11. Be ready to enlist in every benevolent en- 
terprise of the day. " Whatsoever thy hand 
findeth to do^ do it ivith thy mightP — Eccl. 9 : 
10. 

12. Never defer till to-morrow what may and 



JOHN HANCOCK. 65 



ouglit to be done to-day. "Boast not thyself of ' 
to-morroiv ; for thou knoivest not ivhat a day 
may bring forth. ^"^ — Prov. 27: 1. 

13. Never engage or continue in any business 
wliicli you Lave doubts is not right in the sight of 
the Lord. " ^5 the partridge sitteth on eggs, 
and hatcheth them not ; so he that getteth riches, 
and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of 
his days, and at his end shall be a fool^ — Jer. 
17 :11. 

14. Read no books but such as will feed the 
mind with useful knowledge, or promote piety in 
the heart and life. " Beivare lest any man spoil 
you through philosophy and vain deceit, after 
the tradition of me?i, after the rudiments of the 
tcorld, and not after Christy — Col. 2 : 8. 

15. Be always ready to introduce conversation 
on the subject of Religion when a suitable oppor- 
tunity presents, or to join in it when introduced 
by others. " Then they that feared the Lord 
spalce often one to another ; and the Lord heark- 
ened and heard it^ — Mal. 3:16. • 

16. Never suffer sin to remain unrepented upon 

6* 



66 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

jour conscience, nor let it prevent you from doing 
your duty. " A?id herein do I exercise myself, 
to have always a conscience void of offense to- 
ivard God^ and toward menP — Acts 24 : 16. 

17. Be careful to improve tlie holy Sabbath, 
and all its attendant means of grace, in such a 
way as to honor God, and promote the life and 
power of godliness in your own heart. " Blessed 
is the inan that doeth this, and the son of man 
that layeth hold on it; that keejoeth the Sabbath 
froin ijolluting it, and heepeth his hand from 
doing any evil^ — Isaiah 56 : 2. 

18. Meditate often and seriously on the uncer- 
tainty of life. ^^ For ivhat is your life? It is 
even a vapor , that appeareth for a little time, 
and then vanisheth away^ — James 4 : 17." 

These are his rules. They do not constitute 
simply a beautiful theory, but are all of them 
scriptural, and therefore practicable. He who 
framed them did not do so with a view of making 
them obligatory upon the hearts of others only, 
but developed them all in his own life and con- 
versation, with a strictness to which few attain. 



CHAPTER IV. 

PREACHING THE GOSPEL. 

'' How beauteous are their feet 
Who stand on Zion's hill, 
Who bring salvation on their tongues, 
And words of peace reveal." 

Watts. 

" And as ye go, preach." — Matt. 10 : 7. 

God has purposes of mercy to a fallen world. 
In the accomplisliment of these purposes, He 
emplo^^s various instrumentalities and methods. 
Will not his wisdom, therefore, lead Him to select 
such as are best adapted to secure the end in 
view ? We believe it will. Hence, in the Church 
militant, there are various kinds of laborers, 
" some, apostles ; and some, prophets ; and some, 
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. 
Having, then, gifts differing according to the grace 
that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us pro- 
phecy according to the proportion of faith; or 
ministry, let us wait on our ministering ; or he 
that teacheth, on teaching ; or he that exhorteth, 

67 



68 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

on exliortation." " Now there are diversities of 
gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differ- 
ences of administration, but the same Lord. And 
there are diversities of operations, but it is the 
same Grod which worketh all in all." Beautiful 
harmony ; each one having a sphere appointed him, 
and then moving in and filling up that sphere, 
according to the ability which is given him of God. 
This is as it should be. In the vineyard of the 
Lord, there is a place for each and all to work, 
and, each one filling his appointed place, the har- 
mony can never be disturbed, and the purposes of 
God will be accomplished. 

As soon as John Hancock realized that spirit- 
ual resurrection, which brought the life and power 
of God to his heart, he felt a strong desire to do 
good. Is it not always so ? The grace of God is 
diffusive, and, when it dwells largely in one heart, 
creates the desire that it should be imparted unto 
all. He, with others, felt that it was his duty 
to use the talent God had given him, in exhorting 
sinners to flee from the wrath to come. 

In accordance with this united conviction, he 



JOHN HANCOCK. 69 



went forth, very soon after his conversion, in 
company with Brainard Dickerson, a devoted man 
of God, to various places — school-houses, private 
dwellings, or wherever a door was open — exhorting 
his fellow-men to repent and believe on Jesus 
Christ. In these efforts he felt weak indeed, and 
hut for a sense of duty, and the disinterested 
friendship of his pious companion, who greatly 
encouraged him in his course, he might have failed 
in his public efforts altogether. But weak as he 
was, feeling that religion was the great business 
of his life, he not only made these public efforts, 
but spoke, with every one he met, on the subject 
of a personal heart-felt interest in Christ. Having 
pursued this course for some time, with the appro- 
bation of the Church, he received license to use 
his gifts as a Local Preachep. in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church as early as 1803 or 1804. From 
this time the field of his operations was greatly 
enlarged, as he visited every neighborhood in the 
circle formed by Flanders, Paterson, Newark, Rah- 
way, and New Providence, preaching in all these 
places, according to his ability, the everlasting 



70 



Gospel of the grace of God. If, to aid liim in the 
discharge of this duty, he could not bring a pro- 
found scholarship, he brought that which is no 
mean qualification — a warm and earnest heart, 
enlightened and instructed by the Holy Ghost. 
Thus informed, he said: — "It was a minister's 
duty to have humble views of himself, exalt- 
ed views of the being and perfections of God; 
a zeal for the glory of God, and the advancement 
of his kingdom on earth ; a steadfast adherence to 
the truth ; universal love and good- will towards 
men; and that he should, publicly and privately, 
strive to enlighten and convince the mind, and to 
point out the way of salvation by faith, through 
Jesus Christ." 

In accordance with these impressions, he labor- 
ed to store his. own mind with as much general 
information a-s time and circumstances would 
allow, but on no account to neglect that which 
was absolutely essential — a divine and scriptural 
knowledge of the things of God. 

During all these labors, obliged to provide 
for the wants of his family, and attend to the 



JOHN HANCOCK. 71 



interests of his farm, which, it will he'remem 
bereJ, was heavily encumbered, his time for min- 
isterial study was limited; and, indeed, it is 
evident that he could have had no time for such 
a purpose, had he not been in the habit of rising 
in the morning and commencing his work while 
the stars were yet shining in the heavens. Many 
of his sermons were studied in the corn-field, or 
while scattering broadcast the seeds into the 
earth, and there is no question, but that every 
inch of his farm soil is sanctified by prayers which 
he offered upon it, for the salvation of perishing 
men. He was called of God to preach, and, 
wherever he was and in whatever he did, the sal- 
vation of men was uppermost — his first thought 
in the morning, his last at night. 

Having the spirit of his Master and his mission, 
he considered no toil, that his constitution could 
endure, too great to be put forth in the service of 
his Lord. Hence, for many years, through storm 
and sunshine, heat and cold, he pursued his soli- 
tary way, weary miles over mountains and through 
valleys, in search of Christ's scattered sheep, that 



72 



he might lead them into the green ])as,tures of the 
Scriptures, and open to them, through the means 
of grace, the still waters of his spirit. 

He felt, and deeply felt, in the language of an 
author whom he quotes : — " This is a guilty world, 
and it needs pardon and justification ; it is a suf- 
fering world, and it needs consolation ; it is a pol- 
luted world, and it needs sanctification ; it is a 
dying world, and it needs inspiring with immortal 
hopes. Christ crucified, and the Gospel which 
unfolds his divine mission, constitute the only 
adequate remedy for the sins and woes of a rebel- 
lious race," and feeling thus, he could only cease 
from laboring, when, "the weary wheels of life 
should stand still at last." 

His calls on funeral occasions were very numer- 
ous. He was often, at such times, required to go 
at a moment's warning; but he never refused. 
Quitting his field, he would hasten to the house of 
mourning, and there consider it his chief joy to 
pour into bleeding hearts the balm of Gilead. 
On one occasion, in time of harvest, his crop be- 
ing cut and cured, longer exposure to the weather 



1 



JOHN HANCOCK. 73 



would prove a serious injury, if not an entire loss. 
There were evidences of an approaching storm. 
The preacher and some of his sons were taxing 
their strength to shelter the crop which God had 
given them. 

In the midst of these efforts, with the prospect 
of success before them, a summons came for him 
to attend a funeral immediately. In an instant, 
pitch-fork and rake were dropped, and turning to 
obey the call, a son-in-law said : — *' Father, how 
can you go now ; can't they get somebody else ?" 
He simply replied : — " I am determined that 
nothing shall prevent me from preaching the Gos- 
pel," then went to the house of mourning and 
discharged his duty. 

So anzious was he to do good in all possible 
ways, that his own house, commenced in 1802, 
on the lot given him by his step-father, was, 
as soon as completed, dedicated to God, and 
opened for a regular preaching place, and con- 
tinued such until 1832. Here, men venerable in 
age, and eminent for piety, many of whom have 
already passed away, preached the everlasting 



74 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

Grospel of the grace of God, with power and 
great effect. Among these were, L. Mc Combs, 
D. Bartine, Sen., Asa Smith, John Potts, Geo. 
Wolley, Benjamin Collins, . Joseph Lybrand, 
Charles Pitman, Geo. Banghart, T. Neal, B. 
Weed, E. Page, R. Petherbridge, I. Winner, 
Bishop Janes, P. Yanness, M. Force, W. A. Wil- 
mer, and many others. Through their instru- 
mentality, many were brought to the knowledge 
of the truth under his roof; but the full amount 
of good accomplished can only be known in the 
eternal world. 

The labor connected with holding meetings of 
this kind in a private house, for a series of years, 
must of necessity have been very great ; but it 
was borne with cheerfuliiess, in the hope and be- 
lief that good would be accomplished. 

Having such exercises in his own house one 
night, he would* be off ten or twelve miles the 
next, to fill his own appointment in some other 
dwelling or school-house; then returning late, 
and while others were asleep, would be up the next 
morning before the sun, and at his daily toil. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 75 



While thus engaged in tilling the soil, he says 
of himself : — 

'•' I labor where a sacred priest 
Is rare, if ever, found ; 
And toil like some domestic beast, 
To cultivate the ground. 

My garments are well suited to 

A rustic peasant's fare, 
And little like the dress, 'tis true. 

That modern preachers wear. 

'Twas thus decreed that Adam's race, 

In union with their Head, 
By pain, and toil, and sweat of face, 

Should gain their daily bread. 

how unlike the happy state, 

In Paradise began, 
"Where sin, nor shame, nor pain, nor Bate 

Annoyed the peace of man. 

Still may I hope, and pine no more. 

At toil, and grief, and pain 5 
The second Adam will restore 

To Paradise again. 

Thus, though sorrowing one moment over the 
evils of the present, he rejoices the nest in the 
prospect of a better state at last ; for, " he that 
goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, 



76 riLGRIM's FOOT-PRINTS. 

shall doubtless come again with rejoiciDg bringing 
his sheaves with him." 

In meeting his appointments, there was always 
a marked punctuality. For many years, he had 
an arrangement to preach, once in four weeks, at the 
Morris ^^ County Foor-housc^^ and such was the 
regularity with which he met these monthly en- 
gagements, that his presence at these times was 
looked upon as a fixed fact. The pauper family 
became greatly attached to him. 

On one occasion he was sent for to preach at 
Rahway, on the same day of his appointment at 
the Poor-house ; requesting his son, also a local 
preacher, to go to the latter place, the father pro- 
ceeded to the former. By some means, the son 
was fifteen or twenty minutes behind time. When 
about a mile from the " house^'''' a man was seen 
coming down the road with rapid strides ; it was 
a delegate from the pauper family to see what had 
become of the preacher. As he came up abreast 
with the vehicle, he stopped, and eying the son 
closely, who, by-the-by, very much resembled the 
father, exclaimed, as he discovered the mistake, 



JOHN HANCOCK. 77 



'' Oh, I tliouglit it was Mr. Hancock." " It is 
Mr. Hancock's son," said a friend; "tlie old gen- 
tleman has gone away, and the son has come to 
supply his place." "Ah! well," said the poor 
man, shaking his head and heaving a sigh, " / am 
afraid he is not so good a man as his father. 
He never disappoi7ited us.'''' 

He had an appointment one evening at a 
school-house in Livingston township. When the 
time arrived, there were just tivo individuals 
present. Taking out his watch, he said : — " Two 
weeks ago, I announced that I would preach in 
this place to-night, at eight o'clock ; it is now that 
time ; if I do not preach I shall tell a lie^ and you 
know that ' all liars shall have their part in the lake 
which burneth with fire and brimstone.' Therefore, 
I must preach." And preach he did; but before 
getting through, he had quite a congregation. 

" This," said one of the tivo^ first present, 
"though many years since, and I was then a 
wicked young man, made an impression on my 
mind, of the importance of fulfilling my engage- 
ments, which I have never forgotten." 
7* 



78 



Laboring in 1835-36, on the Fort Lee Mission, 
under the direction of Presiding Elder M. Force, 
of the New Jersey Conference, he had an appoint- 
ment in a sparse settlement thirty-one miles 
distant. When he arrived, and found his congre- 
gation, it consisted of seven small children^ four 
colored persons, three white women, and two men, 
sixteen in all; but, remembering that his Mas- 
ter, while at the well of Samaria, preached to one^ 
he took courage, preached the best he could, and 
then returned, making a journey of sixty-two 
miles. It was done with cheerfulness, because it 
was done for Christ 

About the same time, he made efforts to obtain 
a place for holding meetings, in the town of Hack- 
ensack. Not succeeding in his purpose, and believ- 
ing that he ought to preach the Gospel even 
there^ he posted up, in some prominent place, the 
following 

"NOTICE. 

July nineteenth, in eighteen thirty-five, 

If God permit, and I should be alive, 

Under a willow, near one Vanderpool, 

There will be preaching, say, by wise, or fool, — 



JOHN HANCOCK. 79 



Will be proclaimed to men, the truths of heaven, 
At half-past two, should audience be given, 
And the good people are, hereby depend. 
Respectfully invited to attend." 

A Farmer." 

Rev. S. T. Vanderbeck, of Hackensack, a local 
deacon in the Methodist Episcopal Church, then a 
young Christian, describes the meeting following 
this notice, in a recent letter, thus : — 

" At the appointed time the preacher made his 
appearance. It was a lovely Summer afternoon. 
With a steady step, and devout look, carrying a 
chair which he had borrowed of a neighbor for 
the occasion, he approached the willow on the 
village green, and took his position beneath its 
shade. Many sat down on the grass before him. 
The steps, doors, and windows of the three public, 
and numerous private houses, within hearing, were 
filled with people. To these he unfolded the 
glories of the cross, in a free and full salvation, 
by repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord 
Jesus Christ. All, even those who chanced to be 
passing at the time, were interested ; and many felt 
the power of that Gospel which he preached. The 



80 pilgrim's foot-prints. 



sight ivas truly sublime ! Yet some stood off, as 
if fearing the taint of a terrible heresy. The next 
time he preached here, I procured a number of 
seats from one of the hotel-keepers, and seated 
the green for the accommodation of a number of 
persons. Afterwards I obtained permission for 
him to preach to the prisoners. His text was the 
language of the Philippian jailor, ' Sirs, what 
must I do to he saved?'' The house of Mrs. 
Haselden was then opened for him,, where he 
preached every two weeks, for some time. Leav- 
ing this place, it was his custom to ride to English 
Neighborhood, put up his horse, then walk over 
the mountains to the Hudson river, and hold 
meetino;s at the house of Mr. Anderson Bloomer, 
under the Palisades." 

He did not wait for the people to come to him, 
but, knowing their destitution, sought them out, 
and carried to them the bread of everlasting life. 
In so doing, his own physical wants, and those of 
his horse, were oftentimes but poorly met. On 
such occasions, he would not only sing away his 
own sorrows in some of his ever-ready rhymes, 



JOHN HANCOCK. 81 



but tried even thus to soothe his poor horse. 
1 Having at one time ridden a number of miles, in 
order to preach, he tied his horse to a post. After 
service, no one offering him feed for the animal, 
he wrote the following lines : — 

'•'Could my poor horse articulate a sound, 
Perhaps he'd ask where friendship could be found, 
And say, though I'm a poor domestic beast, 
I am the servant of an humble priest ; 
And he has come the joyful news to bring, 
Which gladdened angels, and made angels sing. 
And, in return, I ask one friendly deed, 

! That you in kindness would my body feed." 

i 

i Thinking, however, that poetry might be poor 

I food for a faithful horse, he determined to avoid 

I the difficulty in future ; so he records : — '• Oct. 

i 23d, carried my horse feed to H. ; Nov. 20th, 

j carried feed to H, • Dec. 4th and 18th, do. ; Jan. 

I 1st and 15th, do." There is no doubt that the 

j horse was better pleased with this arrangement 

than with any poetic effusion, however eloquent ; 

and Father Hancock, conscious of this fact, ever 

after, on all doubtful occasions, took care to carry, 

not only a free Gospel, but his own oats also. 



82 



Receptions like this were, however, by no means 
universal; in many places they not only gave him 
a hearty welcome, hut were glad to take care of him- 
self and horse. In the late years of his life, such 
kind receptions became general. All were glad 
to see old Father Hancock. Still it is quite evi- 
dent that his expenses, while laboring to do good, 
were never fully met. 

After laboring in the ministry for ten years, he 
was elected, in the year 1814, by the Philadelphia 
Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, to deacon's orders, and ordained. Such 
he continued until 1833, when the same body 
elected him to the ofi&ce of an elder in the Church 
of God, and he was ordained by Bishop Hedding. 
In this capacity he labored until death. 

He preached in the city of Newark, when there 
were but five members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in that place, and several years before 
there was any church edifice; but, in the good 
providence of God, he lived to see some ten 
churches, with a membership of over two thousand 
belonging to this denomination. Wesley Chapel, 



! JOHN HANCOCK. 83 

in Halsey street, the first of all, was built in 1808. 
In this place he often preached. Just before 
this building was torn down in 1 852, to give place 
for the new and beautiful edifice now occupying 
the original site, the Trustees made a request 
through the writer, then their pastor, that Father 
Hancock would, if able, occupy the pulpit of their 
old house once more, before it was removed. He 
cheerfully complied, and, at the appointed time, 
aged men and women were seen crowding their 
way to the place of worship, to hear the Grospel, 
once more, from the man who was associated with 
their earliest remembrances of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. After the sermon, which was lis- 
tened to with marked attention, numbers, gath- 
ered around him, calling to mind the scenes of 
other days ; while younger persons, whose pa- 
rents or friends he had buried, greeted him with 
tearful eyes. It was an impressive scene — an old 
man's farewell to the building which was the 
scene of some of his earliest labors in the Chris- 
tian ministry, and knowing that the old edifice 
was about to be removed, he felt, too, that the 



84 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

time of his departure was at hand. Some time 
during the following Summer, he again preached, 
by invitation, three sermons on one Sabbath, in 
the new house, to large and deeply interested 
congregations. By this time, he had become so 
enfeebled by rheumatic pains, that he was obliged 
to occupy a sitting position while delivering his 
message : this added to the interest of the occasion. 

In his pulpifc performances, he had good matter, 
and a very considerable variety of topics. He 
declared the whole counsel of God. As early as 
1822, he preached a sermon from these words : — 
" ' Wo unto them that rise up early in the morn- 
ing, that they may follow strong drink, that con- 
tinue until night, till wine inflame them,' — Isaiah 
5:11 ; — of which the following is a sketch : — 

It will be my object to show : — 

I. — The causes of intemperance. These are as 
follows : — 

1. The making, vending, and use of ardent 

spirits. 

2. Yain and idle company. 

3. Fashionable practices (tippling). 



JOHN HANCOCK. 85 



I will show : — 
II. — The evil. (As a medicine it may be of use.) 

1 . As a common drink it is useless and hurtful. 

2. It creates, instead of allaying thirst. 

3. It leads to evil company, and to haunts of 

iniquity. 

4. It leads to neglect of business, spending 

time and money, contracting and neg- 
lecting to pay debts. 

5. It leads to the neglect of religious duties, 

public, social, and private. 
III. — The wo. In temporal matters : — 
1 To a derangement of business. 
2. Utter loss. 
In morals : — 

1. A vitiated heart. 

2. Good habits abandoned. 

3. Evil habits and sentiments contracted. 

4. Hatred of and disrespect for men. 

5. The disapprobation of heaven, the curse 

of God, and the damnation of hell, for 
no drunkard shall enter the kingdom of 
heaven." 
8 



86 



The above sketch is not inserted because it 
contains anything new on the subject of temper- 
ance, but because it was, in 1822, a position far . 
in advance of the times. 

On a Christmas day, a few years after this, a 
gentleman asking him what he would drink, he 
made the following 

'• REPLY. 

It ill becomes a sacred priest 

To tipple, sir, with wine ; 
His business ought to be, at least, 

To preach the truth divine. 

Wo unto him, who, rising up, 

Whatever be his name, 
Continues drinking at his cup, 

Till wine doth him inflame. 

A three-fold wo from heaven shall fall 

On his devoted head ; 
And of these woes, the worst of all 

Is, torment when he's deadP 

The influence of this reply, made with the 
known solemnity of the speaker, must have been 
withering, indeed. 

It will be seen from the above, -that Father 



JOHN HANCOCK. 87 

Hancock allowed no opportunity to escape without 
an effort to impress upon the mind some good 
moral lesson. 

In the mention which he makes of his various 
preaching places, there is frequent reference to his 
having been at camp-meetings. These meetings 
were more frecjuent then than now, though still 
held in many localities, with considerable regu- 
larity. In devotions of this kind he greatly de- 
lighted. As this little volume may fall into the 
hands of some who have never been present at 
such gatherings, it is deemed appropriate to insert 
here the following account of one of these meet- 
ings, found amongst the papers of Father Han- 
cock, though written by another hand : — 

"CAMP-MEETING SCENE. 
Traveling later one evening than usual, I lost 
my way. After wandering about for some time, 
on turning a precipitous ridge which obstructed 
my course, I came suddenly upon one of those 
singular gatherings of the Church militant, called 
camp-meetings. Before me stretched a grove of 



pilgrim's foot-prints. 



tall pines, beneath wliose dark foliage, and in strik- 
ing contrast with the same, were pitched numerous 
white tents, embracing a level area of several 
acres in extent, entirely devoid of underbrush, and 
carpeted with the falling tresses of the overhang- 
ing boughs. On one side of this enclosure, several 
feet from the ground, appeared a plain lodge, 
quadrangularly formed of rough boards nailed to 
the trees, with the pulpit in front, and benches 
around the sides, for the elders and ministers who 
were to address the congregation. From this 
spot to various points in the enclosure, stretched 
in diverging lines the straight poles of lofty pines, 
felled for the occasion, across whose prostrate 
length, with the interspace of here and there 'a 
long drawn aisle,' were laid the rude seats of those 
hardy worshipers. Innumerable lamps were sus- 
pended on all sides of the encampment, blending 
their flickering light with the glare of pine torches 
from the several tents where the evening's repast 
was in preparation, while millions of fire-flies shot 
like tiny meteors along the dark openings of the 
surrounding forests, and the eyes of the sleepless 



JOHN HANCOCK. 89 



stars looked on as if to witness tlie devotions of 
that primeval temple. 

As I paused to survey the wonderful scene, the 
wild howl of a wolf rang through the shuddering 
air, and a moment after a fawn passed me, and, 
bounding into the enclosure, dropped down ex- 
hausted in one of the open aisles. This singular 
instance was succeeded by a dead silence, which 
was presently interrupted by the voice of the 
speaker, who had just finished the last discourse 
of the evening, and was about reading the con- 
cluding hymn. ' Welcome,' said the aged man, 
with compassionate emotion, ' welcome, poor, wea- 
ried and persecuted wanderer, to the refuge and 
rest ye seek not here in vain ! Ye did well 
to flee hither from thy ravenous pursuer, for 
thereby have your days been lengthened, and ye 
shall yet range through the green places of the 
wilderness, where the hand of God bringeth forth 
the tender herb and the pleasant water-courses, 
even for creatures such as ye. Pilgrims of the 
world,' continued he, turning to his hushed audi- 
tory, ' shall the beasts that perish be wiser in 



90 



tlieir day and generation than ye, wlio are fashion- 
ed after the image of the Allwise ? Flee to the 
fold of God! The wild pigeon shrinks to her 
covert at the scream of the wood-hawk, and the 
roebuck hounds fleetly from the yell of the pan- 
ther, while ye, who are encompassed with many 
foes, having eyes, see not, and ears, hear not, or 
heed not the voice of the prowler. Wot ye not 
that ye, like that poor panting hind, are hunted 
up and down in this dark wilderness of the world. 
Flee to the fold of God ! Doth not temptation haunt 
your footsteps from the rising of the sun to the 
going down thereof ? Doth not remorse dart his 
fiery arrows into your bleeding hearts at every turn? 
Doth not conscience smite ye with its avenging 
sword whenever ye turn a deaf ear to the still 
small voice ? Flee to the fold of God ! Do not 
the cares of the world, its vanity and vexation of 
spirit surround ye, when ye rise up and when ye 
dream dreams ? Flee to the fold of God ! Is 
not death the ever present shadow of your earth- 
liness, and doth not the Prince of the power of the 
air — the mighty Nimrod of your priceless souls — 



JOHN HANCOCK. 91 



trace your guilty souls along this pilgrimage of 
sin ? flee, then, fellow-sinners, flee to the fold 
of God, wherein ye find a refuge and a rest ! ' 

Vain were the attempts to depict the scene 
which followed the peroration. The sighs and 
groans, the sobs, the hysteric shrieks of the terri- 
fied females, and, indeed, the convulsive shudder 
of the whole assembly, I leave to the reader's 
imagination — or memory, if he has ever witnessed 
a spectacle so thrilling. After the first burst of 
feeling had a little subsided, the tremulous yet 
not unmusical voice of the late speaker was heard 
chanting that striking hymn : — 

' Stop, poor sianer, stop and think, 

Before you further go ; 
Will you sport upon the brink 
Of everlasting wo ? ' 

One listener after another joined in tne strain, 
till presently ten thousand voices were blended in 
the swelling symphony. I have listened to the 
midnight peal of the roused ocean, and trembled 
amid the thunderings of the Niagara, but never 
was my heart hushed to breathlessness, as by the 



92 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

living chorus of that solemn anthem. The place 
— the scene — and the music of that vast choir, 
filling the depths of the mute forest with echoes 
of terrible warning, were all calculated to make a 
vivid impression even on a mind the most obdu- 
rate. I sunk down on my bended knees, awe- 
struck and overpowered. It seemed to me that 
every voice was directed to myself, in eager im- 
precation to fly from the brink of the dreadful 
abyss to which ' hope never comes.' The services 
closed with the hymn, the worshipers slowly re- 
tired to their respective tents, and silence and 
sleep resumed their quiet empire; but there I 
remained, riveted to the earth, motionless, and 
alone. Yet not alone, for the voice of a mysteri- 
ous presence kept whispering in my ear, ' flee to 
the fold of Grod ! ' even the monitory ' stop ! ' of the 
thrilling hymn, rung like a trumpet from heaven 
through the chambers of my heart. I bowed 
myself to the earth, and there all night long, 
amid the gloom of that lonely forest, and the 
moans of its solemn pines, gazed on the phantoms 
of misspent hours, imploring light to my darkened 



JOHN HANCOCK. 93 



spirit — energy to subdue its fiery passions — 
strength to unmask the specious. vanities of the 
world, and to forego its momentary pleasures, for 
the unimaginable cycle of an eternal beatitude, 
till morning dawned upon my silent vigil, and 
found me blessed with that inward peace which 
seems the antepast of heaven.' 

The above description has nothing in it that 
may not be seen at any camp-meeting, excepting 
the presence of the fawn ; this, of course, was an 
unusual and, as it proved to be, an incident of 
peculiar interest. Still, every camp-meeting has 
its own incidents, and many of these are of a 
thrilling character. 

From scenes of this kind, John Hancock, with 
his heart full of holy influences, would repair to 
the quietness of his farm, and there pursue his 
honest toil till the coming Sabbath, when he would 
be found, sometimes in the city church, the country 
school-house, the private dwelling, the county 
poor-house, proclaiming, with renewed zeal, the 
Gospel of the grace of God. 

In early life, he was repeatedly and earnestly 



94 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

solicited to devote himself entirely to tlie ^vork of 
tlie holy ministry. This he did not do ; and, as 
he desired to act conscientiously in all things, we 
may readily conclude that there were many and 
severe conflicts in his mind in reference to the 
matter. All the reasons which influenced him in 
his final decision, of course cannot now be known ; 
but there is no doubt, that the obligations imposed 
upon him, at the death of his step-father, to pay 
legacies of a considerable amount, had great 
weight upon his mind. If he gave himself wholly 
to the ministry, he saw no prospect of meeting 
these demands. 

He seems, therefore, to have labored for many 
years, as if he hoped the period was just at hand, 
when he would be able to give himself up to the 
work of God untrammeled. It was late in life, 
however, before that desired time arrived. In the 
year 1837, being then in his sixty-first year, and 
free from temporal embarrassment, he made appli- 
cation, contrary to the wishes of his family and 
friends, to the New Jersey Annual Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, to be admitted 



JOHN HANCOCK. 95 



into that body as an itinerant minister. After ma- 
ture deliberation, it was thought he was too far ad- 
vanced in life to enter upon such labors and respon- 
sibilities as would be required in that position, and, 
while the kindest feelings were cherished towards 
the applicant, the application was not granted. 
With this decision he was grieved and dissatisfied, 
especially as he felt an earnest desire to be more 
extensively useful than he could be in his present 
position. Disappointed here, he concluded, after 
several months of consideration and prayer, that 
his sphere of usefulness might perhaps be en- 
larged, by withdrawing his formal connection from 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he did, 
on the 9th day of November, 1837, at the same 
time enjoining upon his friends, and especially 
his children, that they should remain where 
they were, unless they could find a better way, 
and a holier Church ; and he himself took occa- 
sion, before his death, to show the sincerity of his 
exhortations, by returning to the Church of his 
early choice, whose doctrines he believed and 
preached while living, whose institutions he loved 



96 riLGRIM's FOOT-PRINTS. 

and prized wlien dying — and leaning upon wliose 
bosom he peacefully reposed at last. 

But, notwithstanding his separation, such was 
the confidence reposed in him, that he continued 
to occupy the pulpits of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church with regularity. Other doors of useful- 
ness, in the various denominations, were continu- 
ally opening, all of which he joyfully entered ; 
and when thanks were returned him, for the ser- 
vices he had rendered, usually responded : — " I 
thank you, sir, for having afforded me another 
opportunity to preach Jesus and the resurrec- 
tion." 

Coming now to his sixty- third year, a period in 

life when the majority of men begin to feel as if 

their work was drawing to a close, he seems to 

have renewed his strength, and, at the close of the 

year, makes the following minute : — 

Traveled this year, miles 2,40 G 

Days from home, 154 

Held meetings, 161 

Expenses in traveling and donations, $19 33 

Received in cash and other articles, 14 05 

Expenses above receipts, $5 28 



JOHX HANCOCK. 97 

In his sixty-fourth year, traveled miles 1,961 

Away from home, days 95 

Preached sermons 111 

Expenses in traveling and donations, $43 91 

Received for services, 3 40 

Expenses above receipts $40 51 

It will be very clearly seen from the above, 
that John Hancock did not eat his bread b}^ 
laboring in the Christian ministry. On the con- 
trary, his efforts were purely benevolent, and from 
the promptings of diit}^ 

Pursuing these labors year after year, he was 
often wearied to the last extreme ; so that, in 
passing from place to place, he would sleep upon 
horseback, or in his carriage, for miles together. 
One very dark night, his horse stopped, and, after 
all efforts, could be urged no further; when, getting 
out of his carriage, and feeling about to ascertain 
his situation, he discovered that the road passed 
directly along the river, without the least protec- 
tion for the traveler ; and had the horse taken 
another step, all would have been precipitated into 
the waters below. Amid such scenes, he labored 
to the close of life. 
9 



CHAPTER V. 

THE BIBLE. 

" Its very name recalls 

The happy hours of youth, 

"When, in my grandsire's halls, 

I heard its tales of truth. 

I've seen the white hairs flow, 
O'er the volume as he read, 

But, that was long ago, 

And the good old man is dead ! " 

'• 0, how I love thy law ! it is my meditation all the 
day."— Psalms 119 : 97. 

''The excellent Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, 
was obliged to quit the city in consequence of in- 
creasing persecutions; he went with one of his 
faithful disciples to a region in the vicinity. In 
the cool of the evening, the bishop was walking 
under the shade of the magnificent trees which 
stood in front of his rural abode ; here, he found 
his disciple sitting under an oak tree, leaning his 
head on his hand, and weeping. Then the old 

man said : — ' My son, why weepest thou ? ' The 
08 



JOHN HANCOCK. 99 



disciple lifted up his head, and said : — ' Shall I 
not mourn and weep, when I think of the king- 
dom of truth upon earth ? Tempests and storms 
are gathering around, and will destroy it. Many 
of its adherents have become apostates, and have 
denied and abused the truth, proving that unwor- 
thy men may confess it with their lips, though 
their hearts are far from it. This fills my heart 
with sorrow, and my eyes with tears.' 

Then Polycarp smiled, and answered : — ' My 
dear son, the kingdom of divine truth is like unto 
a tree, which a countryman reared in his garden. 
He set the seed secretly and quietly in the ground, 
and left it; the seed put forth leaves, and the 
young tree grew up among weeds and thorns. 
Soon the tree reared itself above them, and the 
weeds died, because the shadow of the branches 
overcame them. The tree grew, and the winds 
blew on it and shook it ; but its roots clung firmer 
and firmer to the ground, taking hold of the rocks 
downwards, and its branches reached unto heaven. 
Thus the tempest served to increase the firmness 
and strength of the tree. When it grew up 



100 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

higher, and its shadow spread further, then the 
thorns and the weeds grew again around the tree ; 
but it heeded them not in its loftiness ; there it 
stood in calm, peaceful grandeur — a tree of 
God!'" 

Such is the Bible — a beautiful tree, growing 
in our very midst, casting its refreshing shade, 
and bearing its life-giving fruit for all; and, 
though scorned by some, rejected and ridiculed 
by others, it stands unharmed amid all the tem- 
pests of earth and the shocks of time — the Book 
OF G-od! 

It is a pleasing truth, that all good men, of 
every name and age, love the Bible. The Bible 
and goodness go hand in hand. John Hancock 
loved the Bible I He loved it preeminently ! 
From the time of his spiritual birth, to the day 
of his death, it was his constant companion. He 
read it in private upon his knees; and often, 
while thus engaged, light from the eternal throne 
broke in upon his mind. He read it constantly 
in his family devotions; ever regarding it as a 
"lamp to his feet, and a light to his path." In 



JOHN HANCOCK. 101 



order that he might have a better understanding 
of the "Word of God, he purchased, at an early 
period, of Rev. T. Ware, Coke's " Commentary 
on the Holy Scriptures," a large work in several 
volumes, the expense of which he met by making 
harness for Mr. Ware. 

Some time after this, Clarke's " Commentary," a 
work of great research and learning, was published 
in numbers ; to this, he also become a subscri- 
ber. These he studied with great diligence and 
profit, and from them drew, perhaps, the largest 
amount of his biblical knowledge. It was know- 
ledge in which he took great delight — for it was 
the knowledge of God. In his preaching, the ex- 
cellency of the Holy Scriptures was mostly, if 
not always, referred to. In the late years of his 
life, this was especially true. In every sermon, 
he drew largely from the sacred volume, and en- 
deavored to impress upon the minds of his audi- 
ence, that the Bible was unspeakably superior to 
every other book, indeed, the only book. And, 
while he felt that the Bible was a light to his own 
path, he was not satisfied to let it shine there 



102 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

alone; he wished that it might beam upon all. 
Hence, in his travels, he was ever seeking out the 
destitute, and then finding some way to supply 
them with the Word of God. For the last few 
years of his life, he kept a memorandum of the 
persons to whom he gave Bibles and Testaments, 
under the following caption : — " Bibles given 
away, or hread cast tqjon the icatersy 

In 1850, he made himself, by the payment of 
thirty dollars, a life member of that great Chris- 
tian institution, the American Bible Society, 
and, fi'om this time, his zeal in the good cause 
seems, if possible, to have been greater than be- 
fore. He lost no opportunity to bestow a Bible 
wherever he thought it would be of use, and 
always took care to accompany the book with 
some portion of scriptural advice. 

In 1853, he writes to the American Bible 
Society, as follows : — " I thank God, I have 
lived to accomplish a design long cherished, of 
giving every one of my grandchildren a Bible of 
comely appearance. I wrote, and pasted on the 
inside of the cover of each, a few lines suited to 



JOHN HANCOCK. 103 



the age, sex, and character of each child." Some 
of these inscriptions are, as follows : — 

'' ROSWELL M. HANCOCK'S BIBLE. 

Searcli the Scriptures, read your Bible through, 
Believe their precepts, love, obey them, too ; ^ 
From childhood up to mauhood, fear the Lord, 
Live in accordance with his Holy Word." 

" John Wade, Montgomery County, Vt., who died in 
1849, read his Bible through seventy-eight times. 

J. H." 

" WILLIAM F. HANCOCK'S BIBLE. 

PRESENTED BY HIS GRANDFATHER, APRIL, 1653. 

God of my fathers, bless the lad. 

And form his soul divine. 
May he with grace and love be clad, 

And be a child of thine." 

'•JOHN K HANCOCK'S BIBLE. 

PRESENTED BY HIS GRANDFATHER, JULY, 1853. 

Search the Scriptures, read your Bible through, 
Believe its precepts, love, obey them, too. 

The Bible, as a book of science, is the most learned 
book in the world. It has God for its author, truth 
for its matter, and salvation for its end. 

Morris Co.. N. J. John Hancock." 



104 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

To a little orphan girl, who always called him 
grandfather, he gave a Bible with this inscrip- 
tion : — 

''MARTHA COLE'S BIBLE. 

PRESENTED TO HER BY GRANDFATHER HANCOCK, 1853. 

' Search the Scriptures.' 

* When my father and mother forsake me, then the 
Lord will take me up.' — Psalms 27 : 10." 

Thus he passed along, through the ranks of his 
children's children, giving to each a copy of the 
book which had been to him, through a long life, 
above all price. These precious volumes are 
prized all the more, because they came from 
grandfather, and contain some of his own poetry 
addressed directly to themselves. 

For several years before his death, so anxious 
was he that his grandchildren should not only 
possess the Bible, but commit portions of it to 
memory, it was his custom to assemble as many 
of them as possible at his own house on New 
Year's day, and have them recite, in his hearing, 
from its sacred pages. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 105 



On one such occasion, after they had repeated 
correctly the ten commandments, he pronounced 
upon them, as they gathered around him, the fol- 
lowing benediction : — 

" God of my fathers, bless the lads, 
And form their hearts anew ; 
Bless, my God, these little maids, 
And make them Christians, too." 

On a similar occasion, in 1852, he blesses and 

prays for them thus : — 

*^ Lord, write thy law on all their hearts, 
And fix it in their inward parts ; 
Be thou their God, their leader be, 
Through time, and through eternity." 

In 1853, after an interview of the same kind, 

he thus instructs them : — 

*' Learn God's commandments all by heart, 
And never from his law depart ; 
Believe in God, in Christ, our Lord, 
Believe, obey, and love his "Word, 
And from his precepts never stray, 
They'll guide you to eternal day." 

These gatherings were anticipated with great 
interest by the little ones, and their influence will 
be felt through life. 



106 



On a Sabbath evening, in the month of Sep- 
tember, 1853, he was unexpectedly called upon 
to fill a vacancy in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, Morristown, occasioned by the indisposi- 
tion of the pastor. The following sketch, pre- 
pared and published at the time in the Christian 
Advocate and Journal, will serve further to il- 
lustrate his high estimate of the "Word of God, 
and his great willingness to preach that Word at 
all times : — 

'•'THE OLD MAN'S SERMON. 

It was a sermon of peculiar interest. The 
subject VMS interestijig — The Bible — text, Luke 
11:28 : — ' Yea, rather blessed are they which 
hear the Word of God, and keep it.' He told 
us what the Word of God was ; not the pretended 
revelations of the Shakers or Mormons, but the 
pure words of inspiration, as they are contain- 
ed in our present translation of the Holy Scrip- 
tures. 

He dwelt upon the great excellency of the Word 
of God, till his whole soul glowed and burned with 
the blessedness of his theme. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 107 



He referred to valuable testimony concerning 
the Bible from the gifted and the good. He 
gpoke of its morals, its poetry, its history, its 
spirituality. ' It reveals,' said he, ' to the righte- 
ous, fullness of consolation, and to the sinner, his 
only way of life and hope through Jesus Christ.' 

'I have lived,' said the old man, 'through a 
long life, and the Bible never seemed so beautiful 
as now.' He told us our duty i?i reference to the 
Word of God. 'We must hear and keep it; 
that is, receive it in our hearts by faith, then 
practice it daily in our lives. Hearing and obey- 
ing,' said he, ' are leading features in our holy re- 
ligion. If all men would hear and obey that one 
precept of the Lord,' ' Whatsoever ye would that 
men should do to you, do ye even so to them,' 
<what a happy world we should have! There 
would then be no need of poor-houses, or prisons, 
or magistrates; men would learn war no more, 
and all would be peaceful and serene.' 

He spoke of the blessedness of those, who hear 
and keep the Word of God. ' Blessed in this life, 
blessed in that to come. 0,' said he, ' if you 



108 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

would make jour children tappy, teach tbem to 
hear and keep the Word of God. Yes, teach 
them these lessons early. Little Fletcher, one of 
my grandchildren,' said the old man, ' died at the 
age of fourteen months, and although he could 
neither speak nor walk at this tender age, yet, by 
a little attention, I had so impressed his infant 
mind with sacred things, that when I asked hiiix 
where God was, he would draw a sigh, then raise 
his little eyes and hands above, as if he would say,' 
' God is in heaven.' ' I have lived,' fervently ex- 
claimed this venerable man, ' to give to each of 
my grandchildren a copy of the Bible, and I would 
rather leave them such a legacy than a hundred 
thousand dollars each, without it. If you would 
bless the world, multiply, multiply the Scrip- 
tures. To this end, I give my money, my influ- 
ence, my life.' 

The preacher ivas interesting. He was an old 
man, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, of nearly 
fourscore years. His hairs were gray, nay, almost 
white with age. His limbs were cramped with 
rheumatic pains. He could not stand to deliver 



JOHN HANCOCK. 109 



liis message, but, like his Master in the synagogue 
of old, he sat and cxpoimded the Word of the 
Lord. For half a century he had been a minister 
of Christ, and 0, it was deeply interesting to hear 
this venerable and good old man, after having 
made the Scriptures the rule of his life for more 
than fifty years, now, upon the very banks of Jor- 
dan, recommend them to all, with a burning pathos 
which told how fully his heart felt their mysteri- 
ous and wonder-working power. 

The co'ngre^Uion teas interestltig. Not that 
it was large ; it was not so large as usual, for tbe 
pastor was sick, and it was not kriown that there 
would be any to occupy his place. But the old 
man heard of it, and when asked if he would fill 
the vacancy, although the service was to be at 
night, and the place of holding it six miles dis- 
tant from his house, he quickly answered, * To be 
sure I will, for the last thing I want to do on 
earth is to preach Christ.' It was interesting to 
look around the congregation on that Sabbath 
evening, to see the young and old (none sleepy, 
none restless) hang upon the lips of this dear old 
10 



UO riLGRIM'-S FOOT-PRINTS. 

man as he spake to them so lovingly of the Book 
of God. 

After he had closed, I was about to express the 
obligations we were under to him for his kindness 
in preaching to and for us, but he interrupted me 
by saying, ' I thank you, brother, for the kindness 
you have done me, in giving me another opportu- 
nity to preach Christ before I die.' He was about 
going to his carriage to return home, then after 
nine o'clock, the night dark, and he alone. I said, 
' It will be unpleasant for you to drive so far in 
the dark; tarry with us for the night.' He re- 
plied, ' Those whom the Lord guides are guided 
well. I have no fear of accident.' " 

And so it was, he reached his home in safety. 
God was with him ! 

A relative of his, a lady, knowing his devotion 
to the Bible cause, sent him one dozen Testa- 
ments, accompanied by the following note : — ■ 

" It affords you so much pleasure, cousin John, 
to be doing good in the world, I shall feel it a 
great satisfaction to have the privilege of helping 
you a little. Will you therefore, accept, for dis- 



JOHN HANCOCK. Ill 



tribution, as you may think best, a dozen new 
Testaments ; they cannot fail to prove a blessing 
to whomsoever given." 

This donation was joyfully received, and dis- 
tributed according to the wish of the donor. 

What a luxury there is in doing good ! This 
Christian lady felt it. There is the luxury of the 
bestowment, of the reception, of witnessing the 
benefit, the pleasant remembrance, and the blessed 
reward through all eternity. 0, who would not 
do good, and thus make himself and his fellows 
happy ! John Hancock was happy only when 
trying in some way to do good. 

About a year before he died, he committed to 
paper the following paragraph concerning the 
Bible, found somewhere in the course of his read- 
ing, as containing the deep and long cherished 
sentiments of his own heart : — 

" I want to study it, to treasure up its words in 
my memory, that I may be able to repeat them in 
my solitude, and on my bed, whether at night or in 
sickness. I want them in my hands, on my 
tongue, and in my heart. Who shall deny me 



112 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

this privilege? Tbi3 blessed Book ought to 
be owned bj every man, woman, and child, upon 
the face of the earth — who shall wrest it 
away?" 

Another extract, in his own hand-writing, made 
about the same time, from Dr. Stearns' " Address 
on the Bible," may, inasmuch as it clearly sets 
forth his own views and feelings, properly close 
this chapter : — 

" When the cry is uttered, ' 0, earth, earth, 
earth, hear the Word of the Lord,' man should 
stand aside, and let Grod speak — speak to the lit- 
tle child — speak to the unlettered man — speak to 
the tired laborer turning aside from his toil — to 
the mother in her infant circle — to the sick man 
on his dying couch — aye, speak in every corner 
of the land, and to the heathen in the ends of the 
earth. Whatsoever I am, however obscure, how- 
ever ignorant, I claim it as my birthright as a 
man, to bear God speak — to have his very words 
as nearly as they can be given me, in the Book 
where he caused them to be written. I want the 
volume in my hands, to turn its pages over just 



JOHN HANCOCK. 113 



as I please, to take it home with me and show 
it to my children." 

The following letter, received since the forego- 
ing chapter was written, is deemed worthy of in- 
sertion : — 

'* Plainfield, N. J., 15th February, 1855. 
My Deae, Brother : — Father Hancock was a 
true lover and a diligent student of the Bible. 
Nothing seemed to afford him more sincere 
pleasure than to aid in multiplying the tri- 
umphs of that blessed Book. My earliest knowl- 
edge of him was in connection with an unusu- 
ally liberal offering for Bible distribution from 
his family. I inquired him out, and found it 
quite characteristic of the source. Indeed, he ever 
seemed to regard himself as a special committee, 
on the Bible cause in his neighborhood, and prob- 
ably not a year passed without his sending to 
the Bible House his own gift, and such other aid 
as he could collect among his friends. So true 
was he to this, his ' ruling passion ' for doing good, 
that his last remittance was received but a few 
weeks before his decease. Were similar zeal in 
10* 



114 



this great work manifested by others who profess 
to love it, our treasury would he constantly re- 
plenished, and the cry of a lost world for the 
bread of life would not come up in vain. But his 
love for the Bible was not only evinced by exer- 
tion and self-denial to send it abroad, but he 
taught its truths diligently to his children, and 
read it constantly himself. He was a person of 
simplicity and godly sincerity, thoroughly imbued 
with the words and spirit of the holy volume he 
so ardently loved. Though he was ' a man of one 
book,' in the contents of that book he was mighty. 
My recollection of him is as of an Israelite, indeed, 
and I now think of him as in the blessed company 
of those who ' rest from their labors, and their 
works do follow them.' 

"Very truly, yours, 

George Sheldon, 
Superintendent Am. Bible Soc." 



CHAPTER VI. 

CHAPaXY. 

" When prophecies shall fail, 
When tongues shall cease, when knowledge is no more, 
And the great day is come, thou by the throne 
Shalt sit triumphant." 

Glynn. 

" If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he 
is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he 
hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not 
seen?-'— 1 Joun 4 : 20. 

Holy Charity ! In a world like ours, how 
beautiful is this trait in human character. It is, 
as we gaze upon it, like a green spot in a great 
desert. How cheerless would earth appear with- 
out it ! Let us rejoice that, sinful as our world 
still is, faith, hope, and charity yet ahide. 

It is God's loving Spirit, dwelling in the souls 
of men; a divine principle triumphing over self 
and sin. It is beautiful in its nature, in its de- 
velopments, and in its victories ; everywhere, and 

115 



116 



always beautiful. It is the common inheritance 
of every genuine Christian. " God is love, and 
he that dwelleth in love, dwellcth in God, and 
God in him." 

In the exercise of this grace, John Hancock did 
not think it sufficient to regard only a certain 
class with favor, hut embraced all. In 1849, he 
makes the following extract: — 

" There is no particular merit in loving those 
who think just as we do — for it is so much like 
loving ourselves — it may be only loving our own 
opinions seen in them ; but the trial is, to have 
our Christian brotherly affection surmount all 
other considerations, and still unite our hearts in 
love, and in fervency to those who differ from us, 
and who still exhibit the Christian spirit." There 
can be nothing more beautiful, than the exercise 
of this brotherly spirit among men. Earth be- 
comes like heaven just in proportion to the preva- 
lence of this grace. John Hancock's views, and 
feelings, and labors, were not confined to the 
narrow limits of a sect. To have our church pre- 
ferences is right and proper, but in the language 



JOHN HANCOCK. 117 



of a recent popular author* : — " I believe that 
there is no stronger symptom of approaching 
wreck than when men begin to quarrel about the 
vessel, and lose their perception of the glory for 
which that vessel was made. There is no stronger 
proof of the very first commencement of idolatry 
than cleaving to the altar, contending for its 
forms, and forgetting that the altar was raised 
that there might burn and glow upon it the ming- 
ling beams of mercy and truth that have met 
together, and righteousness and peace that have 
kissed each other. What is it but Popery to 
magnify the sect, as if that alone were pure, and 
to excommunicate the sister Church because it is 
not altogether what it should be ? " 

During the last seventeen years of his life, John 
Hancock, like the disciples of old, " went every- 
where, preaching the Word." The pulpits of the 
Baptist and Presbyterian churches were often 
occupied by him, and, with the latter denomina- 
tion, in the church at Hanover, he communed 



* Dr. Cummino:. 



118 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

with much regularity for many years. He was 
beloved by all. 

He obeyed the divine injunction, " Be not for- 
getful to entertain strangers ; " yet it must be 
confessed, as will appear, he found sometimes most 
ungracious angels. 

His hospitality was large ; all who needed must 
be lodged in his house, and fed at his board: 
want never went from his door unsupplied. 

The following article tells its own story : — An 
intelligent stranger is taken in — lodged and fed — 
is detained by storm — speaks indifferently of Reli- 
gion, especially against the ministry. Some time 
during his stay, Mr. Hancock wrote these lines, 
and presented them to him : — 

" THE SCEPTIC AND THE COUNTRY PRIEST. 

This story is no novel, joke, or jest,. 
About the sceptic and the couatry priest. 

I know a priest, of no great note or fame ; 
Although a priest, he don't deserve the name, — 
Of the last cast between the earth and heaven. 
To whom the name of sacred priest is given. 
He laboring, too, as heaven designed man should. 
By toil and sweat obtains a livelihood— 



JOHN HANCOCK, 119 



With Adam doomed to bear a righteous curse, 
Yet feels rejoiced that matters are no worse. 
Kind Providence, with an unerring hand, 
Hath made him tenant on a joiece of land, 
With cot, to screen him from the wintry blast, 
Where strangers sometimes share his poor repast. 

One stormy night, a stranger, neatly clad, 
Called and inquired where lodging might be had ; 
The rustic priest replied without demur, 
' We sometimes lodge the weary traveler.'' 
The storm detained him the next day and night, 
And he seemed thankful at his lucky plight. 
On various topics he appeared to be 
Informed — save that of sound divinity, — 
Of states — of men — of clime — he seemed to know 
All that exists, from Maine to Mexico. 
His manners, frankness and intelligence 
His host esteemed sufficient recompense. 
But, for some cause I had not power to trace, 
He inveighed much against a priestly race, — 
Whether my Levite brethren have made 
Prep^ching salvation to lost men a trade — 
Or cannot live by begging, work, or war, 
And thus resolved to ride the Gospel car — 
Or if they preach from motives, who can tell ? 
To save from sin, from misery and hell, — 
Or if the man in earnest, spleen or hip. 
Supposed that priests would undcrgird the ship, 
Wo to the land ! cursed with the curse of Cain, 
Where priests obtain and hold the civil rein ! 
Without regard to rank, he did inveigh 
The priests, en masse, of North America. 



120 



Poor priest, although assailed in his own house, 
"Was glad to keep as quiet as a mouse. 
He thought 'twas best and wisest, in the main, 
"When men revile not to revile again ; 
Harsh words will stir up strife, we've heard them say. 
While softer words will anger turn away. 
Poor priest ! he never dropped a single word 
From which his rank as priest might be inferred, 
But frankly shared his humble fare at best, 
"With ploughman's breeding, to his well-bred guest. 
And when the traveler pursued his way, 
The priest declined receiving any pay, — 
But, as a tribute to his memory, wrote. 
And gave to Cherevoy. this sonnet note. 

To do him justice, as one would surmise, 
He took the hint, and did apologize.'* 

We may readily imagine tlie unpleasarit situa- 
tion of the man, who had shared the boimtv of 
one against whom he had all the while been 
speaking. No wonder he apologized. These 
lines, so fall of kindness, heaped coals of fire upon 
his head. After the apology, and before he left, 
the following lines were added, and handed to 
him, as a kiud of postscript : — 

" '"Whene'er from my poor cottage, sir, you stray 
In public walks, or in some lonely way, 
Reflect if your poor host and hostess, then. 
Are not at least as kind as other men: 



JOHN HANCOCK. 121 



Who for support or livelihood rely 

On their owu hands, and smiles of the Most High ; 

Each acts the part that heaven designed they should, 

By toil and sweat to gain a livelihood. 

No gilded coach, to comfort or amuse, — 

But country wagons, such as farmers use, 

No slave attendants, nurse, cook, groom, or page, 

Like those poor bondmen of the present age, 

Who are, like horses, often bought and sold 

For that poor trash, the petty tyrant's gold. 

Don't, then, conclude that priests are any worse 

Than other men, or to the world a curse — 

Since they can preach full thirty years, believe, 

Nor thirty dollars from the world receive. 

Can lodge the stranger, and the hungry feed, 

And sometimes give a dollar when there's need. 

Is this the trait of priests by passion led ? 
What, then, must be the trait of Christ their head — 
The Godhead veiled in flesh, to bleed and die. 
To save lost sinners, sir, like you and I? ' 

, Master Supreme, by thy almighty grace. 
Fasten the truth like nails in a sure place.' 

This, to say the least, was a most happy method 
of conveymg a reproof, for the unchristian spirit 
which had been manifested ; and it is very much 
doubted, if the sceptic ever indulged in such re- 
flections, until he was, at least, well assured of 
the grounds he occupied. 
11 



122 tilgrim's foot-prints. 

Hundreds, at difiFerent times, were thus enter- 
tained. The best part of his hospitality was the 
pleasant manner in which he bestowed it. 

In 1830, while a member of the New Jersey 
Legislature, he placed in the hands of his friend, 
D. Fenton, of Trenton, a sum of money, such as 
he could afford, with the following directions : — 

" I leave a small donation in your care, 
To each dear Mend impart the following share : 
Give fifty cents to B. McClennyhan ; 
Fifty to him who spreads the Gospel plan ; 
To Brother Williams, fifty more be given, 
It will assist him on his way to heaven ; 
To Mary Updike give just fifty more, 
And with the rest, buy bread to feed the poor. 
'Tis part of what my God to me hath lent, 
To pay a part of my arrears for rent : 
If I could see my present way more clear, 
I'd dry the widow's and the orphan's tear. 
But I'm insolvent, and shall ever be, 
Bankrupt in time and in eternity. 
O, may propitious heaven my debts forgive, 
That I, henceforth, may to God's glory live." 

His care for the sick, the widow, and the or- 
phan, commenced with his conversion, and con- 
tinued through all his life. In times of sickness, 
such was the confidence men reposed in him, he 



JOHN HANCOCK. 123 



was often admitted to families of high worldly 
standing, when no other minister or religious per- 
son could gain admission. In these places he 
fearlessly and faithfully discharged his duty. 

He sought out the poor, especially in winter, 
and, after helping them as far as he could, 
solicited aid from others, for the purpose of re- 
lieving their wants more fully. There were 
several poor women, who looked to him solely for 
their supplies, through the inclement season of 
the year. 

On one occasion, he sent a letter to a friend, 
asking assistance for an afflicted family, closing 
ij with these lines : — 

I " The blessings God to you and I hath sent, 
I For some good purpose have to us been lent ; 
j Since heaven to us has spread such bounteous store, 
I Let's pay our interest, if we pay no more." 

I He felt that all we possess is from God ; and 
as we think it right and proper, when we use the 
funds of our fellow-men, to pay a lawful interest 
for the same, so it is equally, if not more obliga- 
tory upon us, to pay interest on the great and 



124 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

manifold gifts of God. A donation to any good 
cause, is not giving simply, but is the payment 
of our laioful interest^ on property loaned us by 
the Lord. 

He often regrets that his circumstances were 
such, that he could do no more. With such feel- 
ings, he writes : — 

'•Whene'er I hear of human wo, 
At home, alaroad, of friend, or foe, 
With sympathy my bowels move, 
If not with holy, God-like love. 
My means are small. I can't relieve 
All sufferings over which I grieve, 
But still, with misery, aim to share 
The little trusted to my care. 
My heart is hard, my purse is low. 
But still I sigh at human wo." 

One morning, in the chilly month of November, 
he walked out some distance from home, medita- 
tino- on the words, " They that be whole need not 
a physician, but they that are sick." Passing a 
small cottage, he says : — " I heard the noise of 
children crying ; I passed by, halted, hesitated, 
felt diffident, and reluctant to enter. I turned 
about, knocked, and went in. Two children were 



JOHN HANCOCK. 125 



sitting in the corner, one of tliem with an infant 
in its lap. A young woman, twenty-four years of 
age, was lying on a rug before the fire, shaking 
with the ague ; said she had had the disease three 
weeks, her mother had gone out to labour. I 
asked her if she had ever felt the necessity of 
seeking the Lord ? She answered, ' No ! ' I 
asked, ' Do you not believe that you are a sin- 
ner ? ' She answered, ' Yes ! ' I exhorted her to 
seek the Lord by prayer and faith in Christ — 
prayed, and left her in tears." Thus he went 
about doing good to the souls and bodies of all 
within his reach. How beautiful the foot-prints 
of such a man. In 1853, the year before he died, 
he copied the following lines from an old hymn 
book; they are inserted here, as expressing his 
own views on the subject of Christian charity : — 

" That man may breathe, but never lives, 
Who much receives, but nothing gives, 
Whom none can love, whom none can thank, 
Creation's blot, creation's blank. 

But, he who marks from day to day. 
By generous acts, his radiant way. 
Treads the same path his Saviour trod, 
The path to glory and to God.*' 



11* 



126 pilgrim's foot-prints, 

'• Charity never faileth ; but whether there be 
prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be 
tongues, they shall cease ; whether there be know- 
ledge, it shall vanish away." .But, " now abideth 
faith^ liope^ charity, these three ; but the great- 
est of these is charity." '• For ye know the 
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he 
was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that 
ye through his poverty might be rich." 



CHAPTER VII. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

"With him no melancholy void, 
No moment lingered unemployed, 
Or unimproved below." 

C. Wesley. 

" Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy 
might."— EccL. 9 : 10. * 

John Hancock was a busy man ; ever at work, 
liead and hands and heart were all and always at 
it. Out upon his farm before the morning sun, 
and then, when the evening shades appeared, was 
either off on some mission of mercy, or else, seated 
beneath his own humble roof, with pen in hand, 
writing down some of his day thoughts, or apply- 
ing himself diligently to the productions of others. 
He would be employed. Work was his motto. 
He loved it. Farming, preaching, writing, each 
had a portion of his time ; and through all his 
writings there is a vein of cheerful piety, pleasing 
to young and old. Whatever subject employs his 

pen, he never loses sight of the great end of man. 

127 



128 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

It is proposed, in this chapter, to give some 
additional articles from his pen, believing they 
will impart a clearer view of the peculiarities of 
his mind than anything which can be said without 
them. 

With him, business and Eeligion were never 

separated. On one occasion, a creditor called 

upon him for settlement ; after paying the bill, he 

presented the following lines : — 

" When I aud all mankind are called to pay 
Our last account, at the great judgment day, 
Gold will be dross, there's nought but Jesus' blood 
Will cancel sin, or satisfy our God ; 
May you and I, through grace, have all forgiven, 
And find our way to holiness and heaven." 

Having written a letter to a gentleman on busi- 
ness, and fearing that both their minds might be 
too much absorbed in the world, he adds a post- 
script : — 

'•Time, like a rapid current rolls, 
Earth is but vanity, 
Vast the concerns of deathless souls, 
In great eternity.'" 

A beautiful instance of the blending of Reli- 
gion, business, and state affairs, is presented in a 



JOHN HANCOCK. 129 



letter addressed to his wife, while he was a mem- 
ber of the New Jersey Legislature. Perhaps 
this letter, though intended for his family alone, 
would of itself as fully represent the man as 
anything that could be said. The letter, as inti- 
mated above, was strictly private, yet its publica- 
tion here cannot fail to do good. It is dated : — 

" Trenton, Jan. 22d, 1829. 
My Deak- Phebe : — I have been waiting with 
anxiety to hear from home, but have received no 
intelligence, either directly or indirectly. I feel 
desirous to hear from you and from the children. 
Let me know if any of our neighbors have sickened 
or died. Let me know, more especially, the state 
of your souls; how the work of God prospers, 
and the state of society in Morristown, Whippany, 
and Columbia; whether Esq. P. and C. Pt. are 
seeking the Lord, or whether it is but a dream. 
My best wishes to the Preachers, to the Societies, 
and my affection to you and my dear children. 
My prayer and heart's desire to God is, that you 
all may be led to seek after and find the love of 
God and be saved. 



130 



PILGRIM S FOOT-PRINTS. 



To John Wesley Hancock. — My Son : — I want 
you to draw in the large stack of oats after a few 
drying days. I want you to make my brooms 
two-thirds flat. I wish you to kill the hogs, and 
hang up the pork when you think best. I want 
you to give the sled two good coats of paint, 
and put it under shelter ; and, above all, I want 
you to attend to the worship of God in the 
family and in your closet. Try to get the chil- 
dren as often as you can to preaching and 
prayer meetings; impress the truth upon their 
minds; they are fallen sinners, and the sinner 
must be born again ; pray until the Spirit of God 
comes down upon your souls ; seek God by faith 
and prayer. 

"When the Legislature will adjourn, is to us un- 
known. Some think not before March, some think 
sooner. There is much business, many petitions, 
many remonstrances, many conflicting interests, 
different views, and many office-seekers. How dif- 
ferent that kingdom which is not of this world : — 

Many seek the honor that by man is given, 

Few seek the honor that comes down from heaven. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 131 



We are agreeably situated at our lodgings : — 

The soul's affairs, the great concerns of life, 
Are not forgotten, midst this worldly strife. 

I have frequent opportunities of hearing Bro. 
Lybrand, an Israelite, indeed, in whom there is no 
guile ; a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. 
I have preached (or talked) twice to the people 
in this town. On Sunday, the Uth, Bro. M. and 
I were in Philadelphia, where I preached thrice : — 

With rapid strides, midst hopes and fears, 
I fast approach my three score years ; 
All past is only like a theme 
Of fancied joys in midnight dream. 

But vast the scenes that me await, 
In an unbounded future state ; 
These scenes, dear children, you and I, 
"Without discharge, must shortly try. 

live life's momentary space. 
To seek your God and find his grace ; 
Then, v/hen death cuts these cords of love, 
"We only die to live above. 

I transmit you a line I handed to a blooming 

youth, dated Jan. 16th: — 

The sun of Life doth oft appear, 
In an unclouded atmosphere ; 



132 pilgrim's foot-prints. • 

But, how oft the clouds arise, 
To darken the serenest skies. 

Man's joys and hopes, like morning light, 
Oft end in shades of darkest night ; 
Youth, in the midst of health and bloom, 
Soon withers in the silent tomb. 

Affectionately, I remain, 

Your husband and father, 

John Hancock." 

"While in the Legislature, a bill was introduced 
to legalize horse-racing. He felt it his duty to 
set his face against it. Hence, he wrote, and 
ijiost likely delivered before that body, the follow- 
ing lines : — 

'' An organized, well-regulated bill, 
That leads directly to the gates of hell. 
Delusive sport! Such waste of wealth and time 
Amounts, at least, to pleasurable crime. 
I would that men would leave this pleasing strife, 
And run the race for everlasting life, 
Employ those noble powers, that God hath given. 
To seek His grace and make their way to heaven ; 
The blest result of such a course would be 
Reward in heaven, throughout eternity." 

It would seem, from the following lines upon the 
same subject, that efforts were not wanting to 



JOHN HANCOCK. 133 



persuade him to cease hostilities to the measure. 

He made this reply, worthy the imitation of all 

our legislators : — 

'^ Should I, friend Stephens, lose my sight, 
Then I might do what jou think right ; 
But while I see, I think it will 
Be wrong to pass the horse-race bill. 
Should you conclude to run the race 
For everlasting life by grace, 
I humbly hope, desire, and pray 
That God may help you on your way." 

At the same session, a bill was presented to 

prevent the running of steamboats on the Sabbath. 

This being opposed by some, he cried out in the 

ears of the astonished legislators : — 

" The great Jehovah gave to man his law. 
On Sinai's mount, to keep the world in awe, 
His lightnings flashed, his thunders shook the world. 
When God to man his majesty unfurled. 
Who, then, dare give to man a right to break 
The laws which God alone had power to make ? *' 

When the report of the committee on habitual 

drunkards was read, he adds : — 

" Pity the man, whose case is thus defined, 
The most degraded of the human kind ; 
Drunkards beware, behold the die is cast, 
You live abhored, and die disgraced ut last." 
.12 



134 



When the Legislature closed, he wrote a fare- 
well to its members, and to the city of Trenton, 
which he delivered in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, Feb. 28th, 1829. Did space allow, it 
would be interesting to insert the whole in these 
pages ; a part only can be subjoined. After 
speaking of his early life, his cottage home, his 
freedom from ambition, or desire to mingle in the 
affairs of public life, he continues : — 

'' To God and man my ignorance I own, 
With grief and shame, my errors I bemoan ; 
0, Son of God, I on thy bosom fall. 
And humbly pray thee to forgive them all. 

A friendly hint I fain would leave behind, 
To those who have with me in council joined : 
The man entrusted with his country's cause, 
To fill its councils and enact its laws, 
Fills a high station, where example would, 
Well ordered, be the means of doing good. 
Where gifts and grace in unison combine, 
They thus conspire to make the statesman shine. 

God, in us light up the lamp of grace, 
And make us lights to Adam's fallen race! 
And now, my brethren, who lay near my heart, 
The time has come when you and I must part ; 
I've taught you, brethren, in my feeble plight, 
That God's own house is my supreme delight ; 

1 leave the State, and hope to take the field, 
And, in my way, the Spirit's sword to wield ; 



JOHN HANCOCK. 135 



I steer my course to^yards the polar star, 
Where I shall shortly be engaged in war, 
On hostile plains, where holy heroes hath 
With hell contended for the Christian faith. 
There I've contended, too, 'tis strange to tell, 
In battles fought, close by the gates of hell. 
But, what matters what befalls me here. 
If, saved from sin, I at God's bar appear ; 
And while my lamp emits a glimmering light, 
May yours, well filled with grace, shine clear and 

bright. 
I'll live by faith, and urge my passage through ; 
Farewell, dear friends, I bid you all adieu ! " 

While every page of this volume develops 
the great truth that John Hancock was a Chris- 
tian, it must not be forgotten that he was also 
a patriot. Born in 1776, bearing the name 
of a most distinguished statesman, and living in 
patriotic times, how could he be otherwise. For 
many years, it was his custom to fit up a grove of 
his own, not far from his house, so as to accom- 
modate a large congregation, and hold religious 
patriotic meetings on the 4th of July. The first 
meeting of this kind which he ever held, resulted 
in the conversion of a young man, who soon 
became, and^ up to this time continues, a useful 



136 



minister of the Gospel in the Baptist Church. 
In the last meeting held, he was assisted by 
that great minister of Christ, Rev. Lawrence 
McCombs. Sometimes on these occasions, he de- 
livered patriotic addresses, mingled with religi- 
ous exercises. 

The following is an extract from an address, 
delivered at one of these meetings by him, July 
4th, 1815:— 

" Beloved Brethren and Fellow-Citizens : 
Having obtained help of Qod. we continue to the 
present time ; and among the providential dealings 
of Almighty God with the nations of the earth, 
there is no event more plainly demonstrating the 
great truth, that the Most High ruleth in the 
kingdoms of men, and giveth them to whom He 
will, than the political existence of the American 
Bepublic. There is no national blessing more 
loudly calling for our humble acknowledgments 
and adoration, than the establishment and preser- 
vation of the rights of man in this growing na- 
tion." 



JOHN HANCOCK. 137 



Then, making allusion to the great revolutionary 
struggle for independence, and especially to the 
character of the conflict, he continues : — " How 
wide the contrast, how unequal the contest which 
secured victory ? 

When we view the contest, to whom shall we" 
ascribe the glory? 

Shall vain man, because thus favored, think 
highly of himself? No ! Let us adopt the spirit 
of our gallant Washington, who, distrusting his 
own ability, implored the assistance of Omnipo- 
tence ; and, with the valiant Perry, let us ascribe 
the victory added to our arms to the Almighty ; 
or, adopt the language of the Psalmist on a simi- 
lar occasion, ' For by thee have I run through a 
troop, and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 
He teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to 
fight ; I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed 
them, and turned not again until I had consumed 
them ; thou hast also given me the necks of mine 
enemies, then did I beat them as the small dust 
of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the 
street, and did spread them abroad.' 
12* 



138 



If, then, bretliren, the Most High ruleth over 
the kingdoms of men, and giveth them to whom 
he will — if he giveth a land to a peculiar people, 
on whom He chooseth to confer temporal favors ; let 
us, in the language of the Psalmist, exultingly 
exclaim : — ' O give thanks unto the Lord of lords, 
for his mercy endureth forever; to Him that 
smote Egypt in their first-born, and brought up 
Israel from amongst them, who slew famous kings 
and gave their land for an heritage {tmto this He- 
public), who remembered us in our low estate, and 
hath redeemed us from our enemies, who giveth 
food to all flesh, for his mercy endureth forever.' 

It becomes us as a nation, brethren, to re- 
member with gratitude, and to observe the day 
that gave us birth as a day of worship and adora- 
tion to Almighty God, who delivered Israel out 
of Egypt. He commanded Israel, 'Remember 
this day in which ye came out of Egypt, out of 
the house of bondage.' 

We know of no reason, why nations, enjoying 
similar blessings, are not under similar obliga- 
tions to keep the anniversary of their national 



JOHN HANCOCK. 139 



deliverance. If we cannot heartily approve the 
manner in which our birth-day is kept, we cannot 
totally condemn the lovers of a republican govern- 
ment and of §Cjual rights, for wishing to keep 
alive the spirit of national liberty. 

Let us, as Christians, set an example, and show 
that we can love God, and love our country also. 

Finally, brethren, we are once more permitted 
to return to our farms, to our mechanical employ- 
ments, our merchandise and commerce, our civil 
rights, and, more than all, our religious privileges ; 
let us not, therefore, be so unwise, while enjoying 
temporal liberty, as to neglect the best of all 
liberty — the liberty of the sons of God — ' for if the 
Son shall make you free, ye shall be free, indeed.' 

Let us remember that the political existence 
of this government does not solely, but subordi- 
nately, depend upon the use of arms. 

One moral virtue is worth more than ten rifles. 

One Christian grace is worth more than a score 
of cannons. 

One act of faith will subdue more enemies 
than a train of flying artillery. 



140 



Further, let iis beware of that spirit of rank- 1 
ling discontent, and ambitious thirst for power, 
which is the offspring of pride, and likely in time 
to subvert the best of all earthly governments. 

Let us not forget to obey the voice and com- 
mandments of the Lord our God ; and while it is 
our prerogative to nominate and elect our own 
rulers, let the wise, the republican, the truly 
pious, or, at least, the virtuous and moral be the 
objects of our choice, that they may seek the wel- 
fare of the nation, and rule in the fear of God. 
* Happy is that people that is in such a case, yea, 
happy is that people whose God is the Lord.' " 

On the 4th of July, 1817, he addressed the 
multitude assembled, thus :— 

"Fellow Citizens: — While the dupes of 
tyranny patiently submit to the hand of oppres- 
sion, or the more miserable slaves of despots are 
groaning under their pitiable fate, the free sons 
of Columbia once more hail the day that gave 
their nation birth, and restored to them the rights 
of man — rights which every American citizen 



JOHN HANCOCK. 141 



knows how to value — the right of sovereignity 
vested in the people. 

Although we have abundant cause of humilia- 
tion, thousands of our native-born citizens, as well 
as European emigrants, having suffered to an un- 
paralleled degree, yet we have abundant cause to 
bless God, that, in addition to this calamity, we 
have not been cursed with a despotic ruler — a 
host of imperial lords, an established church, or a 
code of unjust l^^^NS. 

How highly favored are we as a nation ; here, 
no mercenary, absolute, or petty tyrant, can rob 
the meanest citizen (the poor African excepted) 
of his rights or privileges ; here, every ruler holds 
his office for a limited period, and is promoted or 
discontinued at the will of the majority, without 
dread of resentment or injury to reputation. 

Let it be the laudable ambition of every 
American to support the present form of govern- 
ment. 

Let it be the prayer of every Christian, that 
God would bless those in authority, and prosper 
the nation. 



142 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

Let it be the wish of every heart — long live 
the American Republic — may it exist till sun and 
moon shall rise and set no more. 

Impressed with a sense of our high privi- 
leges, and knowing the source from whence they 
come, we think it proper to spend this day in 
worship to Almighty Grod. 

I am truly sensible, that political subjects do 
notwell comport with the office of a Gospel minis- 
ter, and I rarely, if ever, touch them, except upon 
occasions like the present. Many good men feel 
a total indifference in the affairs of State ; but we 
are taught, ' when the righteous are in authority, 
the people rejoice.' 

Would we have righteous men to rule over 
us, let us come forward, like good citizens, and 
promote good men to office. 

Religion should not make us negligent. A 
lazy man, we all agree, can hardly be called a 
Christian: 'he that will not work, shall not eat;' 
' he that provideth not for his own household, hath 
denied the faith ;' ' be not slothful in business.' If 
all this care for domestic life, why not some care 



JOHN HANCOCK. 143 



for civil and political life — if so much care for an 
individual, why not some care for the nation ? 

But the great concern of every Christian is, 
how he shall be delivered from sin, and fitted to 
live in another life. Such men, and such only, 
can be the real benefactors of mankind. 

Wisdom is better than weapons of war. 

We told you on a former occasion, the con- 
tinuance of this Eepublic did not solely, but sub- 
ordinately, depend on the use of arms. Benhadad, 
with his thirty and two kings that helped him, 
was drinking himself drunk in his pavilion when 
Ahab fell upon him and slew him with a great 
slaughter. We told you how Belshazzar was 
feasting with a thousand of his lords, when Da- 
rius, the Median, entered Babylon and took pos- 
session of the kingdom. We told you, likewise, 
how party spirit was reposing its weary head on 
the downy pillow of domestic callings — how we 
saw our markets filled with foreign merchandise, 
and the products of domestic agriculture ; but all 
these were no security against future calami- 
ties. 



144 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

However little these observations, coming 
from an illiterate, obscure, and unpopular charac- 
ter were regarded, one year's sad experience have 
taught us they were true. 

One year ago, the products of the earth were 
almost a drug; but, in a few months, by an ad- 
verse Providence, almost every necessary of life 
was raised to nearly a double value. 

Where, then, is the heart that does not feel 
its dependence on that God who feeds the ravens, 
and the young lions, when they roar for lack of 
food. 

To this God, brethren, whose perfections are 
infinite, let us devote this day, and teach our 
children, through coming generations, to devote it 
unto God in religious worship. 

And our brethren in the ministry, who, we 
humbly trust, act with a single eye to advance 
the kingdom of the Redeemer, we hope, while 
you preach Jesus and the resurrection to fallen 
man, and while you, with all the pious of ev^ry 
name, offer up your prayers for the extension of 
the far more glorious kingdom of God, that you will 



JOHN HANCOCK. 145 



pray for the salvation of all men, and especially 
for those in authority, that our land may become 
Immanuel's land, a mountain of holiness, and a 
praise in the whole earth." 

On the 4th of July, 1833, he delivered a prayer, 
part of which is here appended : — 

•• Great King of kings, and Lord of lords most high, 
Thee we adore, as Sovereign, Deity ; 
Help us with reverence to approach thy thrpne, 
By prayer to make our wants and wishes known. 
O, may an humble, holy, filial fear, 
Keep us in awe, and make our hearts sincere ; 
"With self-abasement at thy feet we fall, 
And the Great Parent of all good extol. 
Lord, we confess, our sins and evils hath 
Deserved thy curse, and merited thy wrath ; 
We would approach thee, through thy suffering Son, 
And ask for mercy, through what He hath done 5 
O send thy Spirit from thy courts above, 
And fill each heart vrith humble, holy love. 
May he, who fills the Presidential chair 
Of these United States, thy blessing share 5 
May all our Senators of God be taught, 
"With -nisdom, meekness, grace, may they be fraught. 
Bless all our Congressmen, of every age, 
May each become the Christian and the sage ; 
May the State Legislatures always be 
Composed of men of pure philanthropy ; 

13 



146 pilgrim's FOOT-rRINTS. 

May all who do the sword of justice bear 

Keep the transgressors of our laws in fear ; 

May vice no more bo found with outstretched hand, 

And shameless glory stalking through the land. 

May all our oflBcers in peace and war, 

Like WAsniNGTON, be men of faith and prayer ; 

May no exclusive rights, or selfish claim. 

Be sought, or held, by party, sect, or name. 

May doctors, la^^yers, priests, wise men and fools, 

Statesmen, aspirants, and aspirants' tools. 

Landlords, tenants, artists, and merchants be 

Kept on a level with the yeomanry. 

May the time come when it shall not be told, 
That men, like horses, can be bought and sold, 
Nor the mock boast be heard of liberty, 
Where men are kept in abject slavery. 

O may our land a holy mount become, 
A refuge for mankind, the stranger's home, 
The freeman's glory, though the tyrant's hate, 
A sample for the world to imitate. 

0, do thou. Lord of hosts, the King of kings, 
^Spread o'er this nation thy Almighty wings ; 
May every mortal reverence and obey, 
And yield submission to thy rightful sway. 

And now Almighty, wise, heart-searching God, 
Our sins of thought, desire, of deed and word, 
For Jesus' sake, we humbly pray, forgive. 
Let penitent, returning sinners live. 
If this last plea with thee should not prevail, 
Our fondest hopes of happiness must fail ; 
May we not hope it will, it surely can. 
Thou canst be just, and save believing man. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 147 



Now, to the King Eternal, let there be 
Ascribed dominion, might, and majesty ; 
Let every mortal, in submission, then. 
With heart and voice respond a loud Amex. 

It is presumed, upon a careful review of tlie 
sentiments of this prayer, most, if not all, will 
join in the earnest and teart-felt response — Amen 
— and Amen. 

Turning from the patriotism of John Hancock, 
let us view him in the social circle. One day he 
was called upon by a young gentleman, to know if 
he could celebrate a marriage, at a stated time ; 
he replied in the affirmative. When the appointed 
hour arrived, the blushing couple stood before 
him, to be united in the holy bonds of wedlock ; 
all arranged, he commenced with great solemnity, 
addressing the gentleman as follows : — 

'' Will you, kind Sir, at God's command, 
Take her, you hold by the right hand, 

To be your lawful wife ; 
And love her, keep her, sick, or well. 
And leaving all others, with her dwell, 

Till death shall end your life ?" 

This promised, he turned to the lady : — 



" And will you, Miss, all men forsake, 
And this man for your husband take, , 

And love vvith heart sincere ; i 

Revere, obey his precepts, too, 
Keep him at all times, and prove true, 

Till death shall part you here? " 

This being promised, he concludes : — 

'' In consequence of what's been done, 
You are no longer two, bat one, 

In purpose and in heart ; 
I now pronounce you man and wife, 
What God hath joined, nor man, nor strife, 

Ever asunder part." 

The following prayer was offered, at this time, 
or on some similar occasion : — 

" Come, Jesus, to our wedding feast, 
deign to be our royal guest ; 
Come from thy hallowed courts above, 
And make our feast a feast of love. 

One ray of light and life divine 
Will cheer us more than Cana's wine ; 
Lord, in our midst, do thou appear. 
And gladden us while we are here." 

About this time he wrote, but whether he ever 
delivered, is not certain, the following : — 



JOHN HANCOCK. 149 



" SERMON. 

* Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against 
them.'— Col. 3 ; 19. 

• And the wife see that she reverence her husband.' 
— Eph. 5 : 33. 

Few topics occupy the pulpit less 

Than those contained in my designed address ; 

Few duties are more forcibly enjoined 

Than those contained in my two texts combined ; 

Those duties, then, as I those duties scan 

I shall exhibit in the following plan : 

In the first place, 'tis my design to show 
The various causes of connubial wo. 

Some wed for gold, and are by Mammon bound, 
They, rightly speaking, wed a thousand pound ; 
But she who weds the miser's purse, I'm told, 
Weds not the man, but only weds his gold ; 
Wedded for life, by a delusive fate, 
Not with affection, but with mutual hate. 

Some wed for beauty — beauty of the face. 
Perhaps a mind that's unadorned by grace ; 
Beauty, like flowers, whose native hue at sight 
Attracts attention, and affords delight, 
But, void of fragrance, on inspection prove 
Devoid of charms to disappointed love. 

Some, crossed in love, in sad despair are led, 
Turn maniacs, or hastily are wed ; 
13* 



150 



In disappointment, then, with mournful stride, 
They spend their days, a living suicide. 

Some wed, a father's counsel to fulfill, 
But are not wedded of their own free will ; 
But he or she, who weds to please a friend, 
Will not be pleased for wedding at the end. 

Another cause why misery and strife 
Exist between the husband and the wife : 
Some men are churls, like one of ancient fame ; 
Folly is with them, Nabal is their name. 
Puffed up with wealth, but with ill-nature more. 
Just like their sullen type in days of yore ; 
Churlish, they must be spoken to in a tone 
Like vassals use, around a tyrant's throne ; 
And true affection, while it might be found 
In tigers, cannot in mcli hearts abound. 

A wife's ill-nature is another source 
Whence harsh contentions of fc arise, of course ; 
She, with her scolding, like the ceaseless sun, 
Doth, in her daily course, unwearied run, 
Till wife, and home, devoid of every grace, 
Becomes unloving, is an irksome place ; 
The husband seeks a shelter from the strife, 
In any place, beyond a scolding wife. 

One reason more I'll give, let it suffice, 
To show whence human miseries arise ; 
The lack of grace to regulate the soul, 
And all the passions of the mind control ; 
For he, that's guided by no better light 
Than sinful self, will not be led aright. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 151 



I've shown the causes whence originate 

Jars and contentions in the married state ; 

We now shall turn from where such scenes prevail, 

And sing to all a much more pleasing tale. 

My second proposition shall be this : 
To point the way to matrimonial bliss. 

Husband, like Christ, the way, the truth, the life, 
My text commands that you shall love your wife ; 
Let no harsh temper or invective slip, 
Or acrimonious word escape your lip, 
Nor wound the feelings of a bosom friend, 
On whose good-will your present joys depend, 
Let her possess your heart, that she, in fine. 
May round that heart with true affection twine. 

My text requires, as must to all appear. 

That wives their husbands should as lords revere, 

Should show respect, like Sarah, in a word, 

Who reverently called her husband lord ; 

The husband's heart, thus drawn, will, in return. 

Towards his wife with warm affection burn. 

Let husbands love, let wives revere, or, next, 
Obey the holy precepts of my text ; 
Let a desire to please in each be found, 
Let acts of kindness mutually abound ; 
For unions, formed by such endearing love, 
Are near allied to those which reign above. 

When fortune fails, and health, and many friends, 
Such holy unions make the best amends : 



152 pilgrim's foot-frints. 

One look of pity of more avail will prove 
Than healing balms, from those we do not love. 

Let marriage unions always be combined 
Of the same rank and ornament of mind ; 
Nor lay the ground, in earnest or in mirth, 
For one to boast of their superior birth. 

To crown the whole, the sum of all is this : 
Let each obtain the joys of heavenly bliss, 
Let their religious views likewise accord, 
Their faith the same in Jesus Christ the Lord 5 
Then, like the Church, united to her God, 
Redeemed from sin, and washed through Jesus' blood, 
Joyful they'll live in harmony and love, 
Then live forever in the Church above. 

Let me, by way of application, ask. 

Do each, obediently, perform their task ? 

Do husbands love their wives with hearts sincere. 

Do wives their husbands as their lords revere ? 

'Tis God commands, to Him your homage pay, 

And now the precept cheerfully obey ; 

bear in mind, the day of doom draws near, 

■^Tien all before the judgment must appear. 

To hear the welcome plaudit, * Come ye blest,^ 

Or else their doom, * Depart from endless rest.' 

O God, for Jesus' sake, thy grace impart. 

And write thy truth on every human heart ; 

Give us the evidence of sins forgiven, 

And may we live, and die, in hope of heaven." 



JOHN HANCOCK. 153 

To say nothing of the poetry, there is surely 
much good sense contained in the above sermon, 
and its introduction here is especially appropriate, 
because the subject is seldom discussed in the pul- 
pit. Many, perhaps, will smile at the plain and 
unvarnished manner in which the truth is present- 
ed, but beneath the smile there will be a secret 
conviction that, in all these things, Old Father 
Hancock was certainly right. 

He generally wrote mildly; but, when the 

cause of truth demanded, could sharpen his pen 

with withering irony ! Hearing that a professedly 

good man had said " there was no harm in dancing^ 

and that we si?i7ied in our prayers,''^ he writes : — 

'•' If it's no sin for men to dance, 
And sin for men to pray, 
We'd best stop praying, then, and prance 
Our precious time away.-' 

The following, growing out of the idea advanced 
by some, that sin is necessary to humility, is of 
the same ironical character : — 

'^ SIN MAKES HUMBLE. 
If little sins beget humility, 
The more we sin, the humbler we shall be ; 



154 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

If so, 'tis best to do the worst we can, 
Since sin will only make an humble man. 

If grace makes proud, or teaches men to scoff, 
The less we have, the better we are off ; 
If so, 'tis best that men should have no grace, 
Since, in the end, its absence will abase." 

Equally caustic are the following lines, written 
on 

"FINDING A WALKING-STAFF AND PRESENT- 
ING IT TO ITS OWNER. 

I found this staff, where, two o'clock, one night. 
I saw a hen-thief make a speedy flight : 
I thought, perhaps, the unexpected fray 
Had made him drop or cast his staff away ; 
And my conclusion was, the owner then 
Was the same man that caught my old white hen. 
Next time you visit hen-roosts, be so kind 
As not to leave your walking-stajf behind.''^ 

Having been much annoyed in the Whippany 
M. E. Church with the conduct of a young man 
of respectable appearance, who was in the habit 
of cutting and otherwise defacing the seats, he 
resolved to administer a rebuke. Accordingly, at 
the close of a public meeting, a large audience 
being present, he read the following, entitled : — 



JOHN HANCOCK. 155 



'< THE MODERN WHIPPANY GENTLEMAN. 

In youth, he learned to read and write, 
And, when full grown, became ^oZf^e; 
And one would judge, though he was poor, 
He must be skilled in literature ; 
His manners, too, if he might tell, 
Would scarce admit a parallel. 
Thus graced, with men, he long has passed 
A gentleman, of the first cast ; 
And when in public he appears, 
He's like a sage of riper years; 
Sometimes in church he takes his place, 
Where Christians meet to seek God's grace, 
And there performs his noble feats, 
By cuts and scribbles on the seats, 
And, if you think I'm telling lies, 
Look 011 the seats before your eyes ! " 

He was quick in discovering any innovations 
upon old and established customs in the Church, 
and, when circumstances demanded, was not slow 
to lift up his voice against them. 

He regarded the sale of seats, yet modern 
among us, as such an innovation ; hence the follow- 
ing article, entitled : 

" FREE SEATS IN THE CHURCH. 

Respect to persons here should ne'er be shown, 
Each man should sit as though it were his own ; 



156 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

The rich and poor should meet, and pray and hear, 
*^And no man dread, and nothing have to fear. 
The man who works for fifty cents a day 
Should have a seat, though he has naught to pay, 
And she that scarce has bread enough to eat. 
In God's own house should always have a seat. 
God's house and grace, without specific sum. 
Should be enjoyed by all who choose to come. 
Come, then, and hear, without debate or strife. 
The Word of God, and seek eternal life.'' 

As lie was accustomed to express himself 
strongly upon those matters which he regarded as 
wrong, offense was sometimes given ; this always 
grieved him, and he was prompt to confess his 
errors, as the following lines will show : — 

''AN APOLOGY. 

Has my unguarded tongue, without pretense, 

To my dear friend, Kirkpatrick, given offense, 

"\Yhen shall I learn that precept from above, 

' Be wise as serpents, harmless as the dove.' 

how unlike that declaration, Lord, 

' The perfect man offendeth not in word ;' 

Let all thy censures fall upon my pate, 

Religion and God's Word exonerate. 

Like Romans in defeat, I hope at last 

To learn true wisdom from my errors past." 

He knew that the law of love was powerfulj 



JOHN HANCOCK. 157 



and tried at all times to be governed by it. Some- 
times he was called upon to stand as mediator 
between contending parties, to calm, if possible, 
the troubled waters of discontent, and cool the 
fiery elements of debate and strife. On one 
such occasion, he writes the following soothing 
words : — 

''TO A MAN IN A CONTROVERSY. 

A quiet spirit can do more, by far, 
Than Roman Ctesar's by the art of war, 
And one soft word can by its power control 
The fiercer passions of the human soul." 

Had this principle always goyerned the po- 
lemics of our land, there had been no truth in or 
cause for John Hancock's writing the following 
article : — 

" MODERN ORTHODOXY ; 

OK, IS CHRIST DIVIDED ? 

Lo ! every sect and every man 
Claims orthodoxy for his plan. 
Thinks and maintains, with all his might, 
Others are wrong, and I am right. 
And thus, while earnestly engaged, 
A holy war is quickly waged ; 
U 



158 



Each means to fight, and fight till he 
Exterminates all heresy. 
Hail ! mighty heroes in this war, 
Speed on your Juggernautic car, 
"With party banners wide unfurled, 
Drive all Religion from the world." 

He was a lover of peace, and strove in all pos- 
sible ways to promote it ; but, much as he loved 
this beautiful trait in human character, he did 
not think it should be sought by the sacrifice 
of duty. He therefore boldly reproved sin, 
though such reproof might for the time produce 
discord. He remembered the divine command, 
" Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, 
and not suffer sin upon him." The following 
lines were written on seeing a company of young 
persons engaged in 

'^PLAYING CARDS. 

Time is a jewel, which God has kindly given 
That we may seek and find our way to heaven ; 
But thoughtless men believe it is no crime 
To spend that jewel in some vain pastime. 
I saw one eve, as I passed through the street, 
A social circle round a table set ; 
From all appearance, I believed they were 
Engaged at Caeds, and not in humble prayer. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 159 



Then I reflected, as I passed along, 

How great the folly of this heedless throng ; 

Ajjd millions more thus throw their time away, 

In sinful pleasures, or in childish play, 

While God they neither serve, believe nor fear. 

Till death arrests them in their wild career. 

In that dread hour, the guilty sinner's cry 

Is, * Sinful wretch, I'm not prepared to die.' 

Sure, that's not harmless, then, which leads to harm. 

And in death's hour produces dread alarm ; 

Those recreations, too, which murder time. 

In God's own judgment, all amount to crime." 

As Father Hancock's propensity for writing 
was known far and near, many sent their albums 
to secure articles from his pen. 

In these he always wrote. The following was 
composed for a lady, who had just married a Mis- 
sionary of the Cross, with whom she was soon to 
sail for China, there to labor in the cause of 
God. 

" Eliza, go, and China's daughters tell. 
How Jesus died to save from sin and hell. 
Bid them renounce their idols, pray, believe. 
And endless life through Jesus Christ receive. 
The story ne'er wears out, it grows not old, 
Though twice ten thousand times the story's told. 
Tell it while living, and when dying, — dead, 
Your life will tell it, though your spirit's fled. 



160 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

May He, whom earth and winds and seas obey. 
Protect and guide you safely on your way, 
And when He wakes the nations under groun^ 
May you and I with the redeemed be found ! " 

For another he wrote as follows : — 

'•■Where'er your mind may rest or rove, 
On earthly objects, earthly love, 
"Whate'er delight you hope to find, 
To satisfy your youthful mind, 
Whatever art, or science taught, 
However well your mind is fraught, 
With wisdom, wit, with pride or power, 
All, all may perish in an hour. 
Should you inquire what you should do, 
What science or what art pursue, 
To your inquiry I would move, 
You seek true wisdom from above. 
If all the knowledge known or read. 
About the living or the dead, 
Yv^ith the great mystery of the Cross 
Be once compared, it is but dross. 
This story runs through every age. 
In Sacred Writ through every page. 
Be it your study and your care, 
To seek for grace by faith and prayer. 
One wonder more I fain would tell, 
We sinners yet are out of hell.-' 

To show still further his disposition to write 
in his favorite way, upon every subject, an article 



j, 



JOHN HANCOCK. 161 



ia here inserted, of no value in itself, but which 
produced, at the time written, quite an excitement 
in the neighborhood, and even found its way to 
distant newspapers. It has been suggested that 
its introduction here will be, to many, like meet- 
ing with an old and pleasant acquaintance. In 
the year 1828, being under the necessity of pay- 
ing portions of the legacies ordered by his step- 
father, and not possessing the funds, he was 
obliged to sell part of his property for that pur- 
pose. In order to attract attention and give pub- 
licity to this sale, he wrote the following 

" ADVERTISEMENT. 

If God permit, the undersigned will 

Expose for sale, not far from Bottle hill, 

March the third, eighteen hundred twenty-eight, 

At ten o'clock, for one would be too late, 

Hogsheads, and barrels, small wheels, pails, and tubs, 

Two hundred spokes, and forty wagon hubs. 

Some flour, some wool that's black, and some that's 

white, 
"With articles too tedious to recite. 
One hundred bushels of good corn, or more. 
Which will be shelFd, and lying on the floor ; 
One hundred bushels of potatoes, too. 
The Foxite kind, as good as ever grew. 
14* 



162 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

One new, well finished, wood-spring riding chair, 

And one, but little or no worse for wear ; 

Oats by the hundred bushel, or retail, 

Can now or hence be had, at private sale. 

Two thousand brooms, made up in various modes, 

Will be for sale, for sweeping men's abodes ; 

One ton of my first quality of hay, • 

Akin for fragrance to the flowers of May. 

Ten hams, as good as Jersey need afford, 

And fit to set before an English lord ; 

Eight quarters of good beef, stall-fed, not old. 

And good as any that's in common sold. 

Five scant half-acre lots of turf, that's good. 

Near where Ben. Hoit pursues his livelihood ; 

They join the road that leads from Morrlstown 

To fair Columbia's village of renown. 

Three lots of boards, in feet, full many a score, 

Seasoned, and suited for a kitchen floor, 

Three cows, no calves, two horses, but no hogs. 

One dozen sheep, and half a dozen dojs.-' 

Every body read the advertisement, and, on the 
day of sale, large multitudes attended. Some 
doubted whether all the articles mentioned were 
in possession, thinking that some of them had 
merely been inserted to make up the rhyme ; but 
John Hancock was a man of truth ; each article 
mentioned was produced and sold in order, the 
excitement increasing until the last, when the 



JOHN HANCOCK. 163 



juvenile portion of tlie multitude gave three ear- 
nest and hearty cheers, for '■'•half a dozen dogs," 
and thus concluded the poetic sale. 

A Newark paper having published the adver- 
tisement as a curiosity, made an inquiry as to 
the author; this meeting the eye of Mr. Han- 
cock, he wrote the following 

'•' REPLY. 

The Engle editor desires to know, 

If poet farmers in Columbia grow : 

What are his motives, I can not espy, 

Perhaps 'tis vain his wish to gratify ; 

And, should I trace my lineage or descent, 

"With brief relations I shall be content, 

At the same time, I wish it understood, 

I'm not of mean, nor yet of noble blood. 

My father died without estate, or farm. 

No house to screen his orphans from the storm, 

Yet, through the adverse scenes of war and strife, 

God has preserved my almost useless life ; 

Through changing scenes, I scarce have power to scan. 

Has led me on from childhood up to man. 

He has been pleased, by his o'erruling hand. 

To make me tenant on a piece of land, 

And here by toil, and pain, and sweat I'm led, 

To seek, from God, my own and children's bread. 

A little cottage, formed of homely boards. 

For us a shelter from the storm affords ; 



164 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

My furniture is common, useful, plain, 

Sucli as rich men in general would disdain, 

No Turkey carpets on my floors are laid, 

But such as were by ancient matrons made. 

No costly side-boards, or decanters fill'd 

"With brandy, wine, or any thing distill'd ; 

The library, which stands upon my shelf, 

I have selected, chiefly for myself. 

No deist authors, taught in Voltaire's school, 

"Wliose reason is sarcastic ridicule ; 

No romance, novel, fictitious, idle tale. 

Such as in common are exposed for sale ; 

No tragic author, no low comedy, 

But select authors on Theology ; 

Bibles in quarto, and octavo too, 

Where God reveals what sinful man should do ; 

With comments, labored as are in the land. 

To help plain men the truth to understand. 

History, and travels, chiefly to explore 

The sacred Nile, and the Pacific shore, 

The lives of warriors, and Geography, 

With volumes written on divinity. 

My sons, though not the first of human kind. 

Are such as suit a Jersey farmer's mind, 

A common share of mother wit, at most, 

With common learning, is their highest boast. 

Strangers to ball-rooms, parties, dancing-schools, 

To billiards, cards, or manners taught by rules ; ^ 

Brought up to work, as heaven designed they should, 

By toil, and sweat, they gain their livelihood. 

My garners do afford a moderate store. 

And oft a surplus for the hungry poor, 



JOHN HANCOCK. 165 



My choicest friends, wlio oft surround my board, 

Are such as love, and fear, and serve the Lord. 

No modern party, or gay circles, where 

Some vain amusements banish social prayer 5 

My tables are not spread with pampered food, 

Which brings diseases, and inflames the blood. 

There's no man's house, or goods, or gold, or throne, 

I covet, or would wish to call my own. 

Free from ambition to be rich or great, 

I ask no office in the Church or State ; 

But, heaven still smiling, may I not forget, 

To use this world, as not abusing it. 

And should my Maker lengthen out my days, 

I hope to spend them to my Saviour's praise ; 

Then, when I've served my God, though poor at best, 

I'll leave the world in hope of endless rest." 

John Hancock, and David Young the astrono- 
mer, lived near neighbors for many years, and 
were on terms of intimacy. The latter died in 
February, 1852. Father Hancock, then in bis 
seventy-sixth year, wrote, and delivered at bis 
funeral, the following lines. They show not only 
the vigor of bis mind, but bis great love for writ- 
ing, even in a.dvanced age: — 

"Eternal God, we own thy Sovereign sway, 
'Tis thine to govern, ours to obey ; 
"We would adore i^Q wisdom of that God, 
Who made all worlds, and governs with a nod. 



166 



Giver of life, Ruler of earth and heaven, 
Thou hast a right to take what thou hast given, 
We would adore the grace by which we're led, 
Thj Justice, too, when comforts all are fled. 
O, we would view in death a hand divine, 
And, though we mourn, we dare not now repine ; 
To-day we're called to weep with those who weep, 
O'er one who resteth, by thy will, in sleep. 
He lived, like Newton, midst yon stars of light, 
And dying, sees, with unobstructed sight. 
The works of God, in nature and in grace, 
And views in heaven his Saviour face to face. 
There, worlds on worlds, unseen, unknown to man, 
Which human skill can ne'er correctly scan. 
With mind expanded, he can now explore, 
And God, their glorious architect, adore ; 
But his grand theme, a sinner saved will be, 
Worthy the Lamb, who bled and died for me." 

Father Hancock had a tender regard for his 

grandchildren. When they were small, he was 

accustomed to carry them with him to the field, 

and, placing them in some pleasant position, would 

converse with them in an artless manner of the 

things of God: one, little Fletcher, died when 

about a year old ; the grandfather took his seat 

beside the cradle where the little sufi'erer lay, and 

watched with painful solicitude the progress of 

the disease. The struggle of death commenced. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 167 



The aged man could contain himself no longer. 
With a swelling heart, he exclaimed and wrote, 
while the child was dying : — 

" Precious babe, to Jesus go. 
Free from sin, and pain, and wo ; 
Jesus bought thee with his blood, 
Jesus calls thee home to God. 

No fond mother there to meet thee, 
No kind father there to greet thee ; 
But Jesus loves thee, and is kind, 
More than all thou leav'st behind. 

Angels round thy cradle stand. 
Waiting, at their Lord's command, 
To escort thy soul away, 
To the realms of endless day ; 

There to join the hosts above, 
There to praise redeeming love, 
There to shout the Saviour's name, 
Once for fallen sinners slain." 

He was often requested to write epitaphs for 
tombstones. The following, it will be acknow- 
ledged, contains no flattery. To how many 
thousands, dying every year, will it apply ? Some 
may, perhaps, object that it is too severe j but is it 
any more so than the Bible ? 



168 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

"THE DRUNKAED'S EPITAPH. 

Here lies old * * f * *^ whose face died shine, 
By drinking cider, brandy, gin, or Avine, 
A son of Bacchus, though of modern birth. 
He was a tyrant while upon the earth ; 
He liTed in sin, through all the days of youth, 
Then, in his age, he hated God and truth ; 
He lived a madman, and the devil's tool, 
He lived a drunkard, and he died a fool. 
The bell proclaimed his death with solemn toll, 
And then, no doubt, the devil took his soul. 
. Now he is dead, his wealth can never buy 
A flask of rum his thirst to gratify.'' 

Where the characters -were different, he could 
write more cheerfully. Witness the following : — 

"CHRISTIAN'S EPITAPH. 

Faith cheers the Christian through the tomb, 
"While entering his eternal home. 
Removes the gloom, dispels his fear, 
And he, triumphant, enters there." 

"ON A PIOUS FEMALE. 

Here lies interred, beyond this sea of strife. 
The fondest mother, and the loving wife ; 
Lovely while living, lovely when she fled, 
From scenes of wo, to mansions of the dead." 

When a poor, afflicted, hut pious young man, 



JOHN HANCOCK. 169 



in the Morris County poor-house, died, he wrote 

his epitaph as follows : — 

" Although he died unknown, in solitude, 
Though not a star of the first magnitude, 
He will, no doubt, in heaven forever shine, 
Bright as the Sun, in brilliancy divine." 

In the year 1839, anxious to provide a place of 
interment for himself and family, he set apart a 
small plot ofi ground, on the main road, a few rods 
from his house, for this sacred purpose. His first 
intention was, to make it strictly a family burial 
ground. Finding, however, that others wished to 
bury there, he changed its original design, en- 
larged the ground, had it permanently enclosed, 
and left in his will, that it should be a free public 
burial place forever. 

Near the entrance to this ground, posts, some 
twelve feet high, are standing, nailed to which is 
a long black board, having painted on it, in yellow 
letters, sufficiently large to be distinctly read, the 
following lines, written by himself : — 

'•'Ye travelers through this vale of strife, 
To endless death, or endless life, 



170 



Here yon may learn, midst joys or tears, 
The end of worldly hopes or fears. 
The rich, the wise, the mighty must 
Commingle with their native dust. 
Distinctions here no more are known, 
Between the vassal and the throne, 
Princes, and courtiers, in the grave. 
Are on a level with the slave ; 
But ah ! beyond the bounds of space, 
Where shall I find my destined place ? 
Will righteous heaven propitious be. 
To such a guilty wretch as me ? 
O, save a sinner, mighty God, 
By grace, through faith in Jesus' blood." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

INFLUENC E USEFULNESS. 

" Lives of good men all remind us, 
We may make our lives sublime, 
And, departing, leave behind us, 
Foot-prints on tlie sands of time.'' 

Longfellow. 

"See that ye walk circumspectly.'- — Eph. 5 : 15. 

All men make their mark. All leave their 
foot-prints on the sands of time. 

For many years John Hancock led a pilgrim 
life. In the foregoing pages we have followed 
him up his laborious way, we have seen his toils 
and sorrows, have heard the very breathings of his 
heart, and been convinced that Heaven was the 
home he sought and for which he suffered. 

The influence of such a life cannot be lost. 
The foot-prints of his pilgrimage are left, not only 
upon the ^^ sands of timej^ but impressed with 
rock-like fastness upon many immortal souls. 

The full amount of good which he accomplished, 
through his long life of nearly fourscore years, 

171 



172 PILGRIM S FOOT-PRINTS. 

cannot be ascertained. It was the just remark of 
one, who knew him well, that wherever he went, 
the impression was left that he was a good onafi. 
From the beginning of his religious life he was a 
preachei'^ not only in the pulpit and on public 
occasions, but always and everywhere. In his pri- 
vate conversations, in the conscientious discharge 
of religious duties in his family, in his -deportment 
before the world, as well as his zeal in the pulpit, 
it was evident that " the word of Christ dwelt in 
him richly in all wisdom." And this indwelling 
Christ gave him power among men for good. 

We will here give some details from those who 
were benefited by his faithful labors. They show 
with great clearness the excellency of that scrip- 
ture, " A word spoken in due season, how good 
it is." 

In the year 1852 he received a letter from an 
old gentleman, then living at Honesdale, Pa. A 
part of this letter is here subjoined. 

" Dear Father (for so I should call you) : — 
It is now almost a year since I promised to 



JOHN HANCOCK. 173 

write you, but having so many cares to attend to 

in this busy world, I have been obliged to put it 

off till now. I am stronger than when I was at 

your house, but I see daily the frailty of poor 

feeble flesh, and know that, .without the aid of 

Almighty God, we should soon droop and die. 

But we have a High Priest that is touched with 

the feelings of our infirmities, and though in the 

declining years of life, I never found grace more 

favorable and full than now. Looking at my 

weakness, I feel that I am liable to fall at any 

moment, but I remember the precious promise, 

" I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee ; " then I 

say, " Though He slay me, yet will I trust in 

Him;" and in this way, Father Hancock, I have 

been traveling on till I have passed my three 

score years, and yet, with all my infirmities, I 

feel such a strong cord, binding my heart to the 

blessed Saviour, that it can not easily be broken. 

I often think of the time, (about fifty-one years 

ago,) when you were digging your cellar. I came 

up one evening, just as you were quitting work. 

You commenced talking with me about Religion, 
15* 



174 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

exhorting me to be good, and to seek the Lord by 
prayer. You asked ine if I ever prayed. I told 
you I did when I went to bed, such as, ' Now I 
lay me down to sleep,' for I knew no other then ; 
but from that time I began to learn to pray, and 
afterwards sought and found the pearl of great 
price, (I was then about nine years old). I neg- 
lected my duty, however, and went back again to 
folly; but I shall never forget the impression 
your talk had upon my mind, and had I obeyed, 
and served God as I should, might have done 
some little good in the world." 

Equally interesting is another from Terre 
Haute. As all these letters contain references 
to domestic matters, only those parts are given 
which show the influence of Mr. Hancock upon 
the minds of those who wrote. 

" Dear Bro. and Sist. Hancock : — 

<' In my retired moments, and particularly 
while in affliction's furnace, I have looked back, 
with pleasing delight, to the time when a little 
errand led me, on a cold winter's evening, to 



JOHN HANCOCK. 175 



your house. Your kind solicitations prevailed 
upon me to stop for a little wliile. Till then, I had 
been a stranger to heart-felt Religion ; and I well 
remember the trembling emotions of my mind, 
as you talked to me of redeeming grace, and 
dying love : my heart was full, but when sister 
H. touched that tender cord — a parent's love, a 
mother'' s inayers — the great deep was broken up, 
then and there a wound was made which the 
Balm of Gilead alone could cure. # # * 
* * * Well, I am, by the tender mercy 
of God, still on the road to eternal bliss. We 
are living by faith, prayer, and watchfulness — 
our trust and confidence in the Lord unshaken. 
Family prayer is strictly attended to every morn- 
ing and evening; it never has been neglected, 
and, by the grace of God, it never shall be. We 
try to live for Eternity. Please write to me soon^ 
and do not cease to pray for me. I hope to see 
you again in this life, as we contemplate a visit to 
the East next summer, if we prosper till then. 
But I leave all in the hands of Him, who has 
kept me thus far, knowing that He will do all 



176 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

things well; and if we meet no more on earth, I 
trust our spirits will mingle in praise around the 
blissful throne in Heaven. Such is the sincere 
prayer of your unworthy, but affectionate son in 
the Gospel." 

That it was the uniform habit of Mr. Hancock 
to speak with all persons with whoui he came in 
contact, upon the subject of Religion, may be 
gathered from the following incident, of an oppo- 
site character. 

On one occasion, a pedlar, who had heard of 
this habit, called at his house, and asked him to 
purchase some of his articles ; but from some cause 
he gave him a trifling reply. The man, who was 
better prepared to receive an exhortation than 
such an answer, was surprised, and with a serious 
look and tone, inquired, " Is not this Mr. Han- 
cock?" It was enough. It crushed and almost 
broke his heart, and through all his life that se- 
rious and solemn inquiry, " Is not this Mr. Han- 
cock ? " rang in his ears like a funeral knell. 
Often and bitterly did he weep over his folly, 



JOHN HANCOCK. 177 



and, on his dying bed, spoke of it as one of the 
great errors of liis life. But, while he wept over 
this omission of duty, his widow declares that she 
believes it was the only instance of a person ever 
going from his door without some serious word 
in reference to his soul. 

How constant, then, was his habit of religious 
conversation, and what an untold amount of good 
is reserved for future and eternal development 
accomplished in this simple and unostentatious 
way. How strictly he ever after complied with 
the Apostolic injunction, " Only let your conver- 
sation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ." 

A number of years ago, during some of his 
travels, he found a family, recently from England, 
in very needy circumstances. In this family was 
a little girl, four or five years old. With the pa- 
rents' consent, he took the little one with him to his 
own home, and kept her for a length of time. In 
the year 1850, a letter, written in a very neat and 
lady-like hand, was received at the humble cottage 
in East Madison. It was from her who, years 
before, had been sheltered, through the pelting 



178 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

storms of winter, in the bosom of this Christian 
family. A part of the letter is here appended : — 

'' Again I take up my pen to impart a few lines 
to my much esteemed and beloved friends, whose 
kindness to me, in younger days, will ever be re- 
membered with fondest recollections. 

How much I should love to see you all once 
more; but, if we are not permitted to enjoy the 
privilege of meeting on this side of eternity, pray 
for me, dear friends, that we may meet on that 
bright shore where friends shall never part. I 
have sent you my likeness ; I beg you to accept it 
as a token of friendship. 

Dear grandfather, and uncle M., if I may yet 
call you so, I have read the letter which I received 
from you, over and over again, and it gives me a 
great deal of pleasure, as it calls to mind the 
many happy days that I have spent in your house. 
I must now close, but not without sending my 
kindest love to you all ; and, in your prayers, do 
not forget one who is in great need of them. I 
am very solicitous to hear from you, and a few 



JOHN HANCOCK. 179 



lines would Ibe cherished with the fondest care. 
Dear grandmother, I often think of you." 

There is not a doubt but the religious influ- 
ences exerted upoji the mind of this fair corre- 
spondent, while in the family of Mr. Hancock, 
ripened ultimately into a permanent religious 
character, evidences of which are seen, even in 
the above brief extract. 

Thousands of others were benefited by his in- 
fluence and example, many of whom went before 
him to the spirit world, and with whom he had no 
written correspondence ; consequently the earthly 
record of his usefulness is incomplete. But a 
surer record and more enduring testimony is on 
high, where the " wise shall shine as the bright- 
ness of the firmament, and they that turn many 
to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." 

The superintendent of the Morris County Poor- 
house says : — " It is about forty years since my 
first interview with John Hancock. It was at a 
Sabbath-school, over which I had the supervision. 
He had made an appointment to preach there, 



180 



and, as he came in, a friend introduced him to me. 
I proposed to close the school, but he objected, 
saying he was never more delighted than when in 
the Sabbath-school, where the children were taught 
the Word of God. 

After the lessons were through, he addressed a 
few words of encouragement to the children, and 
then proposed to spend the remainder of the time 
in prayer. It was a precious season. I went 
home with the conviction that he was a man 
who lived near to God, and the more I became 
acquainted with him, the more that belief was 
strengthened. When I came to take charge of 
the Poor-house, my predecessor very kindly said, 
' there is one thing you will be pleased with — the 
visits of Mr. Hancock.' So we ever found it, 
and we now feel to bless God for the privilege we 
enjoyed. He never missed an appointment, how- 
ever unpleasant the weather might be. At one 
time he came, the day was very stormy ; he was 
much fatigued, and seemed very unwell. Before 
bed-time he grew so very ill, that I said to my 
family, it is more than likely Father Hancock 



JOHN HANCOCK. 181 



will b3 called away before morning. I offered to 
watch with him through the night; he objected, 
and said, ' I came to try to persuade sinners to 
repent ; but, if the Lord sees fit to take me home, 
it will be far better.' I went to him in the night, 
found him easier, and the most happy person I 
ever saw. In the morning, he was much revived, 
and preached as interestingly as I ever heard him. 
His visits and preaching have been a great bene- 
fit to us, and his influence upon the pauper family 
most salutary, resulting in the salvation of seve- 
ral of their precious souls. 

I never heard one of them speak lightly of 
him ; and, indeed, it seems to me, that from the 
time of my first acquaintance with him, till he was 
taken to heaven, God was in all his thoughts." 

His labors were greatly blessed in Hackensack. 
One man, when dying, said to his wife, " I have re- 
ceived more light, upon the plan of salvation, from 
the sermons of Mr. Hancock, than in all the 
preaching I ever heard." He was looked upon 
by those who knew him there, as an humble and 
devout servant of Jesus Christ. All venerated 
16 



182 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

and loved him. His usual advice, bn leaving the 
village, was, " Well, friends, treasure up the truth 
in good and honest hearts." To a brother in the 
place, he often said, familiarly, " Well, Brother 
Stephen, fight on ; it is hard work to get a Dutch- 
man converted, hut, when converted, he is immov- 
ahle." It is believed many were saved through 
his labors there. 

The followicg communication, from the Baptist 
Church in Northfield, Essex Co., N. J., may also 
serve to illustrate the estimation in which his 
services were held : — 

" Rev. Mr. Hancock. — Respected Sir : — We, 
the undersigned, beg leave to inform you that we 
have had the honor of being appointed a .com- 
mittee, by the inhabitants of Northfield parish, 
at their Society meeting, March 30th, 1843, for 
the purpose of waiting upon you in order to return 
the grateful acknowledgments of the people com- 
posing said congregation. We, therefore, in their 
name, return you sincere and heart-felt thanks 
for the following favors. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 183 



For your kindnsss in supplying their pulpit 
occasionally, when they were otherwise desti- 
tute. For the interest you have taken in the 
general ^Yelfare of the Society, temporally and 
spiritually. For the actual assistance you have 
rendered them, personally and financially, in re- 
pairing their meeting-house, and putting up the 
fence around the meeting-house yard. As we 
wish always to retain a grateful sense of the 
obligations we are under, for favors received, 
either from God or man, we hope you will 
be kind enough to accept of this our humble 
tribute of respect and gratitude, as it is all the 
return which, at this time, we have it in our power 
to make. 

Be assured, at the same time, that you will 
always, when it shall suit your convenience, be a 
welcome visitor among us ; you have our prayers, 
also, for the blessing of God to rest upon you and 
yours, and that you may be rewarded a hundred- 
fold for your timely aid to us. 

By order, and in behalf of the Parish. 

Signed by the Committee." 



184 



To a man laboricg as he did, without pecu- 
niary support or aid, such little expressions of 
appreciation and gratitude must have been ex- 
ceedingly gratifying; and, as the Church above 
referred to had nothing to give hut their thanks, 
it argues much thought on their part, to return 
those thanks, officially and in writing. The 
above communication from a Church, but a few 
miles from his own cottage, where he had then 
lived between forty and fifty years, will show fur- 
ther the truthfulness of a remark once made to 
him, in a somewhat complaining mood. A min- 
ister, not altogether pleased with his manner 
of preaching, said, ^' Brother Hancock, I think 
you do best where you are best known." This 
remark, though not intended as a compliment, 
was, indeed, the highest encomium that could have 
been paid to his moral worth. Those who knew 
him hest loved him 7nost; hence the esteem of the 
Church at Northfield, and the exclamation of all 
his friends and neighbors — " He was a good 
man. " 

The whole life of John Hancock made the im- 



JOHN HANCOCK. 185 



pression tliat lie was good. But in this life, there 
were particulars which served to strengthen the 
impression, and as circumstances occurred to de- 
velop these particulars, the conviction of his tho- 
rough goodness was irresistible. 

Many of these have been brought out in the 
course of these pages; let one or two more 
suffice. He was strictly conscientious, and labored 
to do right, observing, as far as possible, the 
golden rule, " Do unto others as you would have 
them do unto you." This gave him power. 

He tried to impress the same views on the 
minds of his children. One of these, at a certain 
time, having picked up a pin at the door of a 
neighbor, he desired her to carry it back, and 
restore it to its owner ; on another occasion, the 
same child had gathered up a few scraps of mo- 
rocco from the floor of a shoemaker's shop, which 
coming to the knowledge of the father, he took 
the child by the hand, led her back to the shop, 
requested her to restore them, and ask forgive- 
ness of the owner. These were small mat- 
ters in themselves, but now, at the expiration of 
16* 



186 



fifty yearS; tlieir influence upon tliat mind is 
miglity. 

At home lie ruled in love. Never command- 
ing, a simple request secured obedience. 

AVhen leaving his family for a few days, to 
preach the Gospel, he usually uttered some scrip- 
tural precept to he observed during his absence, 
generally the following : — " Fear Grod, and keep 
his commandments. Farewell." 



CHAPTEK IX. 

CLOSING SCENES. 

*' A Iioly quiet reigns around, 

A calm which life nor death destroys, 
And naught disturbs that peace i)rofound. 
Which his unfettered soul enjoys. 

Farewell, conflicting hopes and fears, 
Where lights and shades alternate dwell ; 

How bright the unchanging morn appears, 
Farewell, inconstant world, farewell ! 

Life's labor done, as sinks the clay, 
Light from its load the spirit flies. 

While heaven and earth combine to say, 
How blest the righteous when he dies." 

Barbauld. 

Home ! home ! how sweet the exclamation. 
Earth hath few brighter or better words than 
home! Man, no higher earthly enjoyments than 
those realized on reaching, after a weary and painful 
exile, his loved and cherished home. Heaven is 
the Christian's home. The aged Hancock nears 
it. Henceforth his footsteps are few and feeble. 

Life's work is closing. Rest is in view. For 

187 



188 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

many years lie has regarded earth as a vineyard, 
and human life a brief day in which man should 
labor. And, truly, few have toiled more indus- 
triously, even to the twilight of old age and infir- 
mity, than he. 

Now, as the bright stars of hope and promise 
shine out in the firmament of God, his weary, tot- 
tering steps turn gladly to his eternal rest ; his pil- 
grim-staff — the Bible. Love animates his heart ; 
hope brightens his eye; and his lips exclaim, 
" Heaven ! It is not that Paul is there, or that 
John is there, that Abraham or the Prophets are 
there, or that our own dear friends are there, but 
it is that God is there, filling all, and in all." 

Could the prospect of such a heaven, after so 
many years of labor, be otherwise than sweet ? 

His last illness commenced in the early part of 
June, 1854. On the ninth day of that month, he 
walked out to breathe the pure air of early Sum- 
mer ; it was the last time those pilgrim feet ever 
pressed the earth 5 his last weary mile was tra- 
veled, and he entered again his own cottage door 
to die. On the same day, after a little rest, un- 



JOHN HANCOCK. 189 

willing to be idle, he took his pen to complete an 
acrostic which he had commenced a few days 
before, at the request of a young lady, whose 
father had often preached beneath his roof 

This acrostic, the promptings of friendship, and 
the last effort of his pen, written in great feebleness 
of body, at the advanced age of nearly seventy-eight 
years, has a peculiar interest and sacredness about 
it, which, notwithstanding its private character, 
makes its insertion here appropriate. 

''ACROSTIC. 

Mary first chose the better part, 
And loved the Lord with all her heart ; 
Renounced the world, its pomp and show, 
Youth's vain delights, and pleasures, too. 

Love drew her heart, grace fixed her love 

On everlasting things above ; 

Upwards she pressed, heaven's bliss to find — 

Is this your aim, is this your mind ? 

Seek for that bliss, whate'er betide, 

All, all is vanity beside. 

Pursue your course without disguise, 
Onward, and upward to the skies ; 
Trusting in God for needful good, 
Trusting for grace in Jesus' blood, 
Safely to bring you home to God." 



190 



The day following, lie was confined to his bed. 
The next was the Sabbath; then he said to his 
daughter, " Let me know when you are ready for 
breakfast." At the proper time, she asked: — 
•^Father, do you feel able to rise?" He an- 
swered, "Yes," and did; and taking the old 
family Bible, which he had used so many thousand 
times, opened it at Christ's sermon on the mount, 
and read once more, with a faint and trembling 
voice, that inimitable prayer, " Our Father which 
art in heaven;" then, kneeling down with the 
family, repeated it in tones that moved every 
heart ; but as he came to the closing sentence, his 
strength gave way, and, unable to say more, was 
assisted to his bed ; and that morning, the family 
altar, which had ^ood for more than fifty years, 
witnessed his devotions for the last time. 

In a few days the fever yielded to medical treat- 
ment, his cough and pain were easier, and there 
seemed to be nothing in the way of his recovery, 
but age and extreme debility. In this state he 
remained for several weeks, his peace- flowing like 
a river. During his illness, the house was throng- 



JOHN HANCOCK. 191 



ed with visitors. Old and young, Christians and 
those who made no profession, all were anxious to 
see his face once more, and hear the dying tes- 
timony of one who had so long recommended 
Keligion to others. The dying saint had a message 
for all. In his sickness he frequently asked per- 
sons to sing, " There is a fountain filled with 
Wood ;" " Jesus, lover of my soul ;" " Rock of ages, 
cleft for me; " and, at two different periods, he 
arose in bed and read for himself the latter hymn. 
He often exclaimed : — " Great peace have they 
which love thy law;" then placing his hand upon 
his breast, would say, " this peace I have in my 
heart, in such a degree as I never expected to 
enjoy on earth." In prospect of heaven, he exult- 
ingly exclaimed : — 

" All o'er those wide extended plains, 
Shines one eternal day. 

And the best of all is, 

There God, the Son, forever reigns, 
And scatters night away. 

All the promises in the Bible are for me." 
One night, thinking that he was dying, he 



192 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

called his son, and gave liim some directions about 
pecuniary matters ; tlien turning to his daughter, 
said : — " Don't he surprised if you find the spirit 
has departed, I am not afraid : 

' Fearless I'd launch away.' " 

On Sabhath, the 23d of July, it was thought 
the time of his departure had arrived ; his children 
and grandchildren were called to take their leave 
of him, when each, according to their age and 
condition, received his farewell advice and charge. 
To the pastor, who called that day, he said : — 
'' Bro. G-askill, I am struggling between life and 
death, but from the beginning of my sickness God 
has filled me with unusual love and peace." In a 
few days he revived a little. He was grateful for 
all blessings, and often contrasted his condition 
with that of the poor and destitute. At the re- 
membrance of these things, tears flowed profusely 
down his furrowed cheeks. A relative, about 
going to the city, asked what she should procure 
for him in New York. He answered: — "My 
wants are all supplied." Still she insisted that 
he should think of somethinor that could not be 



JOHN HANCOCK. 193 



obtained at home ; he then said : — ''7 ica7it no- 
tiling so much as more of the love of God.^'' 

Bolstered in a rocking-chair, one day, his 
daughter opened the front door, and asked if he 
would not like to look out and see how beautiful 
the earth appeared at such a pleasant season ; he 
turned his head and gazed a moment, then closing 
his eyes, from the fullness of his heart, exclaimed : 

' when shall I see Jesus, 
And reign with him above ! ' 

This earth has lost all its charms for me." 

His strength gradually failing, he spoke with 
difficulty, and many an unconverted person re- 
ceived a faithful warning in a whisper. But his 
time was not yet. The kind attentions of deeply 
interested children and friends, under the blessing 
of God, measurably restored him; and after a 
few weeks, with help, he was able to walk into an 
adjoining room, and sit a few moments with the 
family. Hopes were entertained of his recovery. 
One of the many friends who called to see him, 
said : — 

17 



194 



" Mr. Hancock, I am glad to see you better. I 
could not tliink that your work was all done." 

He replied : — '' My recovery is doubtful, but I 
am in the bands of tbe Lord. If it should be his 
will, I should like to get well enough to preach 
from Acts 5:31. I have thought much upon that 
text lately." 

This was the only time he was heard to express 
a desire to get well. Soon, however, his cough 
and fever returned, and he experienced a seyere 
pain in his right side ; when he, smiling, said : — 
" It is the Lord, let Him do as seemeth Him good; 
it is all nothing to what my Saviour bore for me." 

Several times, through these sufferings, he re- 
marked : — " As often as I have repeated the 
Lord's prayer, I could never so freely say, ' Thy 
will be done,' as now ; " and referring to acts of in- 
justice, to which he had' submitted, said, " I as 
freely forgive as I wish to be forgiven." 

His memory failed on all subjects except the 
Scriptures, and the great scheme of human re- 
demption ; these he retained with all the vigor of 
youth. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 195 



About this time lie gave directions concerning 
Lis funeral services, and never, until now, would 
consent that a grave stone should be erected 
to his memory. Indeed, in the very month that 
he was taken sick, he wrote out the following ex- 
tract, the last he ever copied : — " When your eyes 
are closed in dreamless slumber, better rest in an 
unmarked grave, and leave a record of faith- 
fulness written upon hearts^ than lie beneath 
sculptured marble, with your virtues emblazoned 
thereon. Such a record will outlast earth's monu- 
ments, as long as mind shall triumph over matter, 
and eternity over time." • 

This paragraph embodied his views upon the 
subject, and now that he consents to any kind of 
a mark being placed at his grave, its cost must 
not exceed a certain sum, for he believed that 
expensive ones were useless, and the money could 
be applied to better purposes. 

His memory failing so that he could not keep 
an account of time or dates, he placed, as early as 
August, a sum of money in the hands of his son, 
to be given to certain poor families on Christmas 



196 pilgrim's foot-prints. 

day. A few cool days coming on in the early 
part of Septemberj lie spoke several times of tliese 
families, and feared they might be suffering for 
want of fuel. For years he had helped them, and 
now, though dying, his sympathies are with them 
still. He could not forget that, when a little child, 
his own mother was left a widow, and how a small 
act of kindness, rendered by Deacon S., of M., 
placed him in a comfortable position. 

He continued to sink ; yet gave directions that 
all who called might be admitted to his room, 
thouf^h often too weak to articulate, and only able 
to c-ive a look of recognition. At times he would 
tremulously say, " I am on the very brink of Jor- 
dan; too weak to talk, I can only believe and 
hope?'' 

Many precious utterances escaped his lips, giv- 
ing abundant evidence of the state of his mind. 
In the midst of his greatest distress and weakness, 
he quoted Scripture, with readiness and accuracy. 
Indeed, the Divine Word was the only staff upon 
which he leaned, while passing through the valley 
and shadow of death, and that gave him comfort. 



JOHN HANCOCK. 197 



His cougli increasing, tliey gave liim an opiate ; 
this caused Iiis mind to wander, and, being con- 
scious of it, lie exclaimed : — "J. ivreckof a man^ 

Two days before liis death, he sat up in his 
bed. observing the movements of the family ; his 
daughter, approaching him, asked, " Father, would 
you like to get well, and mingle again with us ? " 
After a moment's pause, he answered : — ^^ I would 
like more of the love of God.'''' This he had 
found in a large degree, many years before ; but, 
still conscious there was a higher attainment, and 
that death was no barrier to its possession, he 
longs, upon the very borders of the spirit world, 
" to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, 
and length, and depth, and height ; and to know 
the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that 
he might be filled with all the fullness of God ; " 
then break away into the eternal glory, and enjoy 
it forever. 

The last day of his life came— it was a still 

September Sabbath — the most sacred of all the 

year ; an appropriate season in which to close a long 

and laborious life. Night approached. To a 

17* 



198 pilgrim's foot-prints. 



friend, who was watching with him, he zvhispered^ 
" Jesus died for sinners^ and He died for me ; " 
pausing a little, he repeated, " Jesus died for sin- 
ners, and He died for me;'''' making still another 
effort, he uttered once more, " Jesus died for 
SINNERS, AND He DIED FOR. ME." Wishing to be 
raised up, and calling for his family, he said : — •' / 
am, going^'' and taking each of his children by the 
hand, gave them a fare"^ell kiss. He then asked 
for his wife. She had been sick and absent from 
his room several days. Supported to his bed- 
side, she bent in her age over the dying form of 
her venerable husband, while he, as the last act 
of his long and useful life, pressed his cold 
lips to her brow, and then, six times in suc- 
cession, to the withered hand of his once fair 
young wife, whispering, with the last : — " That 
ivill do;^^ it ivas a kiss for each child, and 
immediately his head dropped, he gasped, and the 
union, which had existed so happily for more 
than half a century, was dissolved by death. 
Then all was silent, save the low sobs of that 
stricken family; as before them, in death, lay 



JOHN HANCOCK. 199 



the father, husband, and pilgrim of nearly four 
score years. 

*' Not in the fiery hurricane of strife, 
'Midst slaughtered legions, he resigned his life, 
But peaceful as the twilight's parting ray, 
His spirit vanished from its house of clay ; 
And left on kindred souls such power imprest, 
They seemed with him to enter into rest." 

His funeral was attended on the following Tues- 
day by a large concourse of people. His remains 
now rest in the ground devised by himself for a 
public burial place, near the dwelling which, for 
so many years, he occupied in life. 

His grave is marked by a plain marble slab, 
with the following brief inscription : — 

"JOHN HANCOCK, 

FOR FIFTY TEARS A FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST. 

Born Dec. 6, 1776, Died Sept. 17, 1854. 
•He, being dead, jet speaketh.'" 

We have seen the leadings of God in the life 
of this devoted man ; and now, at its close, let us 



— J 

200 pilgrim's foot-prints. .J 

wlio remain, watch unto prayer ; imitate his pious 
example; learn how much can be done for the 
glory of God in the humblest walks of life ; that, 
when our earthly labors end, we, too, may find with 
him, in Heaven, a pilgrim's everlasting rest. 



THE END. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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